A teenager who fatally attacked a bus driver after being refused boarding because of his intoxication has been released from a residential care facility after less than 18 months, having never spent a night in prison.
Attack and Sentencing
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, assaulted Keith Rollinson, 58, at Elgin bus station in Moray in February 2024. Mr Rollinson, an RAF veteran, died of a cardiac arrest after the teenager repeatedly punched him. The boy initially faced murder charges but pleaded guilty to culpable homicide in November 2024, receiving a sentence of four years and four months, reduced from six years and six months due to his early plea.
Release Under New Legislation
However, the teenager did not serve any time in a Young Offenders' Institution because of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024, which mandates that young offenders be treated as children in care rather than prisoners. As a result, he was placed in residential care and has now been released.
Mr Rollinson's widow, Sue Rollinson, expressed her confusion and anger to Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay. Mr Findlay criticised the SNP-led justice system, stating: 'This case typifies the way in which decent Scots are treated with contempt by the SNP's weak justice system. Having taken an innocent man's life, this thug is back on the street yet hasn't spent a single night in prison. He will even qualify for a free bus pass because of the SNP's pathetic inability to remove passes from those who attack bus drivers like Keith.'
Background and Reaction
During the trial, Judge Lady Hood noted the boy 'rained blows upon the victim' and that the family had been 'shattered by their loss'. The case has also highlighted Scotland's early release programme, which has seen over 600 prisoners freed since November to ease overcrowding. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said the programme was necessary due to 'an extremely high and complex population'.
