Widow of Elgin bus driver killed at work says attacker's possible early release is 'insulting'

The devastated widow of a Moray bus driver killed at work says the thought of his teen attacker potentially being released early is an "insult".

Keith Rollinson, 58, died in hospital after he was attacked at Elgin bus station in February 2024.

The teenager, who was 15 when he carried out the attack, was sentenced to four years and four months detention last year.

He was initially charged with murder, but later admitted to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

Last week, Sue Rollinson received a letter from the Victim Notification Scheme which said he is due to be released in 2026 to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community on license.

It also said the boy, who we cannot name for legal reasons, could be freed even earlier.

Sue, from Elgin, is speaking out to try and enforce change in Scotland's youth justice system, which she feels has been unfair to her and her family.

Possible early release 'an insult and a disgrace'

Mr Rollinson was attacked after refusing to allow the teenager on board his bus due to the boy's intoxicated condition.

The court heard how the youth argued with Mr Rollinson and apparently began filming him on his phone, and when the driver grabbed the device, the teenager headbutted him and "rained punches on Mr Rollinson's head and body".

After initially appearing to be unharmed, Mr Rollinson collapsed after bending down to pick up his cap from the ground.

He was taken to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, but never regained consciousness.

Earlier that night, Mrs Rollinson was woken by two police officers at her door saying Keith was in A&E.

Sue told us how because Keith was a victim of crime, she wasn't allowed to hold her husband as he passed away.

She said: "If you're watching a loved one die, you at least hold their hand or give them a hug. 

"We weren't allowed, so that was devastating."

After the teen lost an appeal to his sentence, Sue says receiving last week's letter was a major blow.

She added: "I'm just devastated. 

"Even if he comes out next year it's only two years and ten months for taking a life and if he gets out any earlier,  it's just an insult. It's a disgrace.

"It needs to change because this is hell what we have been through since it happened and we're still going through hell getting a letter like that saying that he's coming out after two years and ten months.

"I just get by each day basically, but to get this letter it's throwing me back to the beginning. 

"Now I'm back at square one."

Action on free bus pass misuse

Earlier this week, it was revealed new legislation banning badly behaved bus passengers from accessing free travel will be revealed next month.

Connectivity minister Jim Fairlie told MSPs "detailed work is progressing" on a behaviour code for those who have the passes, as well as on a process for suspending travel cards.

Sue welcomed this, but feels it could have happened sooner.

She said: "If they're being anti-social, they don't deserve a bus pass.

"At the end of the day, it's us who are paying their bus fares, the taxpayer."

Keith was a "gentle giant"

In 2022, new sentencing guidelines came into force which prioritised rehabilitation and shorter sentences over punishment for those aged under 25.

Sue described what Keith was like and why she is demanding a meeting with the First Minister.

She said: "Keith was a gentle giant that would do anything for anybody if he could help them. 

"He was a true family man, an amazing dad, a brilliant husband and he had wicked sense of humour. 

"Everybody who knew him, loved him. 

"His family were his world, so it is a huge loss to his daughters and I. 

"I would really like to have a face to face with John Swinney and explain to him how this under 25s (guideline) needs to be scrapped."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Keith Rollinson who have lost a loved one in horrific circumstances.

“Sentencing in any given case is always a matter for the independent courts and the Scottish Government has no role in approving sentencing guidelines.

“Parole decisions are a matter for the independent Parole Board for Scotland, and are based on a clear risk assessment of any individuals being managed safely in the community.”