Widow Condemns Soft-Touch Justice as Teenage Killer Nears Early Release
The widow of a bus driver has expressed profound fury after discovering that the teenage thug who killed her husband could be freed on parole within mere months. Sue Rollinson, 63, has launched a scathing condemnation of what she describes as the SNP's soft-touch justice system, following revelations that the youth responsible for her husband's death is eligible for release after serving just two years of his sentence.
A Tragic Incident in Elgin
Her husband, Keith Rollinson, aged 58, tragically lost his life following an altercation at a bus station in Elgin, Moray, in February 2024. The incident occurred when Mr Rollinson, a Stagecoach driver, refused to allow a drunken teenager onto his bus. The then 15-year-old responded by headbutting and punching the driver, leading to Mr Rollinson suffering a cardiac arrest. He later died at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin.
Shortened Sentence Under Controversial Guidelines
The attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, admitted to culpable homicide. He was handed a sentence of four years and four months, a term dramatically shortened under the Scottish Government's sentencing guidelines for offenders under the age of 25. This reduction was applied both for an early guilty plea and specifically because he was under 25 at the time of the offence.
Furthermore, the sentence was backdated by nine months to account for time already served on remand. Instead of being placed in an adult prison or a Young Offenders Institution, the now 17-year-old is being held at a care centre equipped with amenities including a swimming pool, football pitches, games consoles, and a gym.
Parole Eligibility and Victim's Anguish
Under normal circumstances, the killer would be eligible for parole consideration as early as December of this year. Authorities have already notified Mrs Rollinson of this possibility, with a recent letter from the Scottish Government's victim notification scheme indicating that 'the offender is now approaching the stage where they can be considered for release on licence by the parole board.'
Mrs Rollinson fears the perpetrator could be released by April or May, meaning he may have served only around two years for taking a life. 'What's the point of jailing anyone anymore?' she asked despairingly. 'This thug will have served potentially just a couple of years for taking someone's life. We haven't had justice for Keith - and the disgusting justice system has let us down all the way.'
Broader Criticisms of Justice Policies
The widow has also directed criticism towards Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who is proposing to lower the automatic release threshold for prisoners from serving 40 per cent of their sentence to just 30 per cent. Mrs Rollinson has spent the last two years campaigning for politicians to adopt tougher stances on criminals who reoffend, particularly in light of the fact that the teenage attacker had previously assaulted another bus driver and received only a community sentence, which expired just two weeks before he killed Mr Rollinson.
She has voiced personal fears regarding her safety upon the killer's release, stating in a victim statement: 'I'm frightened that he might come after me or attack me or make my life hell (because of my campaigning).' Mrs Rollinson is scheduled to meet with Ms Constance next week to discuss her concerns directly.
Official Responses and Ongoing Torment
A spokesperson for the Parole Board for Scotland declined to comment on the individual case but noted that 'children and young people on licence are liable to be recalled to custody in the same way as long-term adults.' They added that Scottish ministers have the discretion to refer cases to the board at any time, irrespective of parole qualifying dates.
In response, Justice Secretary Angela Constance stated: 'My thoughts remain with Mrs Rollinson, who lost her husband in such awful circumstances, and I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with her next week to discuss her concerns in person. It is inappropriate to comment on individual cases, but sentencing in any given case is always a matter for the independent courts and parole decisions are a matter for the independent Parole Board for Scotland.'
Meanwhile, Sue Rollinson and her two adult daughters continue to be tormented by their loss. 'Our world's been shattered, completely turned upside down - Keith and I had been together since our 20s,' she shared. 'We did everything together. Losing him has been a life sentence for us and it's just not fair.' The family's grief is compounded by the looming possibility of early release for the individual responsible, highlighting deep-seated issues within Scotland's approach to youth justice and victim support.
