Release of bus driver's killer 'sickening', says Tory leader

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has told Holyrood it is "sickening" that a teenager who killed a bus driver could be released within weeks after two years in secure accommodation.

Keith Rollinson, 58, died of a cardiac arrest following the incident in Elgin in February 2024.

Findlay said Rollinson's widow was "rightly furious" that the attacker - a 15-year-old boy - could get his free pass back upon his release.

First Minister John Swinney said his government was in the process changing the law to remove free bus passes - given to all Scots aged up to 22 - from those who commit anti-social acts.

Speaking at First Minister's Questions, Findlay asked for a guarantee that Rollinson's killer would have his pass removed.

He said ministers had "botched" legislation to remove passes from anti-social young people.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to four years and four months in custody in 2024 after admitting culpable homicide.

Findlay, who has met Rollinson's widow Sue, described the attacker's potential release as "sickening" and "an affront" to the family.

He said the sentence was "shockingly short" due to sentencing guidelines for under-25s.

The Scottish Tory leader also pointed out that the teenager had previously attacked another bus driver but had been allowed to keep his free bus pass.

He noted Swinney had vowed to remove free bus travel misbehaving youngsters last year, but claimed the government had "botched the legislation".

Russell said: "Sue Rollinson is rightly furious that her husband's killer will still be entitled to a free bus pass when he gets out.

"Keith Rollinson's tragic case highlights so much that's wrong with the SNP's weak justice approach," he added.

Sentencing guidelines are produced by the Scottish Sentencing Council, an independent advisory body. Currently rehabilitation rather than punishment is advised to be the primary consideration of judges when sentencing under-25s.

While sentencing decisions are made independently by the judiciary, ministers can influence the guidelines.

Swinney said: "What happened to Mr Rollinson was absolutely unforgiveable and unspeakable."

He told parliament that a parole hearing had been heard on Wednesday, with a decision on release postponed to a future hearing.

The first minister added: "I have every sympathy with Mrs Rollinson for what she's experienced and I want to assure her that this government is doing everything it can to make sure that those who commit crimes will be apprehended, prosecuted and, when the courts decide to do so, they will be imprisoned as well."

The government has drawn up secondary legislation to remove free passes from young people who are guilty of antisocial behaviour.

However, an accompanying code of conduct has not yet been completed, leading to a delay in the secondary legislation being considered by MSPs.

Swinney insisted the legal changes would be considered by MSPs next week and would deliver on his commitment to "remove free bus travel from any person of any age who does not act responsibility".

The secondary legislation will have to be agreed by the time parliament breaks up in March for the Holyrood election.

Sue Rollinson has previously said that the prospect of the boy's release this year was a "disgrace".