The widow of a bus driver has expressed her outrage upon discovering that the teenager who killed her husband might be released from prison earlier than expected.
Sue Rollinson sharply criticized the lenient approach of the SNP’s justice system. She was dismayed to find out that the teenager, who was just 15 at the time of the incident, could be considered for parole a mere two years following the crime.
Her husband, Keith, who was 58, tragically lost his life at a bus station in Elgin, Moray, in 2024. The incident occurred when he denied entry to a heavily intoxicated teenager attempting to board his bus.
The young offender received a significantly reduced sentence of only four years and four months, a result of the sentencing guidelines established by the Nationalists for individuals under the age of 25.
Mrs. Rollinson, 63, also voiced her disapproval towards Justice Secretary Angela Constance. She criticized the proposal that suggests reducing the mandatory portion of jail terms from 40 percent to 30 percent for automatic release.
She remarked, “What’s the point of imprisoning anyone anymore?”
‘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.’
Keith Rollinson was killed in Elgin when he refused to allow a drunken teen on his bus
The killer – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was given a sentence which, if served in full, would keep him in custody until June 2028.
Mrs Rollinson has spoken of her fear that he might harm her upon his release and is due to meet Ms Constance next week to discuss the issue.
Just months before killing Mr Rollinson, the teenage thug, who is now 17, had attacked another bus driver and was given a community sentence, which expired two weeks before he killed Mr Rollinson.
On February 2, 2024, Stagecoach driver Mr Rollinson refused to let the teenager on board his bus, prompting the then 15-year-old to headbutt and punch him.
Mr Rollinson suffered a cardiac arrest and later died in Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital.
The attacker – who admitted culpable homicide – was sentenced to four years and four months.
He benefited from a reduced sentence because he entered an early guilty plea and, secondly, he received a reduced sentence because he was under 25.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance is facing increasing criticism for her proposals to free prisoners early
And the killer’s term was backdated by nine months to reflect time served on remand.
He was not put in an adult prison or a Young Offenders Institution.
Instead, he is held at a care centre with a swimming pool, football pitches, games consoles and a gym.
He does not have to be detained until June 2028, which would be the actual end of his term.
Under normal circumstances, he would be eligible for parole in December this year – and the authorities wrote to Mrs Rollinson, telling her so.
The teen would serve the remainder of his sentence on licence, with regular supervision from a probation officer.
But last month officials running the Scottish Government’s victim notification scheme wrote to Mrs Rollison, stating ‘the offender is now approaching the stage where they can be considered for release on licence by the parole board’.
Meanwhile, she and her two adult daughters have remained tormented by the loss of their husband and father.
The widow said: ‘Our world’s been shattered, completely turned upside down – Keith and I had been together since our 20s.
‘We did everything together.
‘Losing him has been a life sentence for us and it’s just not fair.
‘I’ve had this second letter. It says he’s up for parole, but doesn’t say when. I’ve had to fill in a victim statement about why I don’t think he should be out, which brings it all back.
‘He could be out by April or May.
‘I wrote that I’m frightened that he might come after me or attack me or make my life hell (because of my campaigning).
Mrs Rollinson has spent the last two years campaigning for politicians to get tough on criminals who reoffend.
A Parole Board for Scotland spokesman said it does not comment on ‘individual cases’.
He said: ‘Children and young people on licence are liable to be recalled to custody in the same way as long-term adults.
‘Scottish ministers are able to refer the case of a child or young person to the PBS at any time and are not bound by parole qualifying dates.’
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: ‘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.’
