Teenage killer of Keith Rollinson at Elgin Bus Station sentenced to four years in prison
The teenager who killed bus driver Keith Rollinson in a “frenzied attack” has been jailed for four years and four months.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at the High Court in Inverness today.
The court heard that the teen "rained blows" on Keith Rollinson during the assault at Elgin Bus Station, causing the man to suffer a fatal heart attack.
Family members of the former RAF man looked on as Lady Hood handed down a headline sentence of six years and six months on the youth.
However, this was reduced by a third because of his early guilty plea in October and his young age.
He was only 15 at the time of the assault, on the evening of Friday, February 2.
Several family members heard the judge pass sentence and some left in tears, clearly unhappy at the sentence, but declined to give a statement afterwards.
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Lady Hood said the accused was intoxicated at the time, and started to film Mr Rollinson after he refused to let the drunk youth onto his vehicle.
The court heard that this prompted the boy to begin filming the driver on his mobile phone, which was taken away from him, stamped on and then the onslaught began.
The judge said Mr Rollinson did not retaliate and as a result of the ferocity of the attack, he lost consciousness, as a result had a heart attack and did not survive it.
"During this frenzied attack, you rained blows down on him,” Lady Hood said.
“It is most likely that the physical altercation resulted in his cardiac arrest.”
After the death, it was discovered that Mr Rollinson had significant heart disease which could have brought on a fatal heart attack at any time.
As a result, the teenager submitted a guilty plea to his culpable homicide.
Lady Hood said: "His family have been shattered by his loss and their victim impact statement has been harrowing to read."
The court heard that the boy had a previous conviction for assaulting a bus driver, had been reported to the police on numerous occasions, and had been consuming alcohol and cannabis from the age of 13.
"The harm you caused is of the highest order and detention is the only appropriate way of dealing with you," Lady Hood added.
She backdated the sentence to February 5 when the youth was remanded to a place of safety after his initial court appearance.
Lady Hood told the youth: "You were refused travel because of your intoxication. You protested and remonstrated with the bus driver, Mr Keith Rollinson, and you pointed your mobile telephone in his face and apparently attempted to film him.
“Mr Rollinson grabbed the telephone from you, and there was a physical struggle during which you head-butted Mr Rollinson.
“When the telephone was smashed on the ground, you completely lost control and during a frenzied attack you rained punches on Mr Rollinson’s head and body. Mr
“Rollinson never retaliated, and you were pulled away by another youth. Very shortly thereafter Mr Rollinson collapsed to the ground, and tragically he never regained consciousness.
“It was subsequently discovered that Mr Rollinson had significant heart disease, and was at risk of a sudden fatal cardiac event at any time.
“The medical evidence is that it was most likely that the physical altercation with you had ultimately led to him suffering cardiac arrest.”
Defence counsel Shelagh McCall KC told the court: "The outcome of the assault could not have been intended or foreseen.
“It appears he was very troubled and suffered poor mental health during that period.
"He has found it hard to talk about the incident, but his insight into the seriousness of it and his sincere remorse is apparent in the background report.
“Staff describe his change of mindset as night and day.
“He wants to turn his life around and become a productive member of society."
Mr Rollinson was 58 years at the time of his death.
He had previously served with the RAF, but latterly had been working with Stagecoach Coaches, based at Elgin bus station.
The victim impact statements submitted by Mr Rollinson’s wife and daughters speak of their memories of a true gentleman with a heart of gold, and a wonderful husband and father.
The family have been shattered by Mr Rollinson’s loss, and the extent of their grief is harrowing to read.
The circumstances of Mr Rollinson’s death prevented the family from being with him, or saying a proper goodbye, when he passed.
They say that: “The little things in life have been changed forever, and the big things in life don’t bear thinking about”.
