Drunk youth, 15, killed bus driver in vicious assault
A teenager has been locked up after killing a bus driver when he refused to let the drunken lout on board.
The 16-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, ‘rained punches’ down on Keith Rollinson, 58, at the bus station in Elgin, Moray, on February 2.
The RAF veteran had refused to let him on the bus and told other passengers to get off while he sought help in dealing with the teen.
The thug, who had previously assaulted another bus driver, then attacked, headbutting and punching him.
Mr Rollinson was initially fine but collapsed shortly after the attack and was taken to hospital. He did not regain consciousness and later died.
Keith Rollinson, 58, died after being beaten by a drunk teenager he refused to let onto his bus
Lady Hood yesterday deferred sentence to obtain a background report and remanded him after he plead guilty to culpable homicide.
Earlier, the court heard the thug, who was 15 at the time, had spent the evening drinking alcohol with friends before deciding to catch a bus home.
Prosecutor John Keenan KC said Mr Rollinson, a married father, refused to allow him on board the Stagecoach bus because of his level of intoxication.
Members of Mr Rollinson’s family walked out of court yesterday as Mr Keenan played CCTV footage of the attack.
Lady Hood saw the youngster headbutt Mr Rollinson, before repeatedly punching him.
The assault caused the driver, who suffered from significant health issues, to fall over, collapse and eventually die.
Mr Keenan said police tracked him down and took him into custody.
The advocate depute said: ‘Officers began to caution and arrest him on suspicion of assault but received a message that the deceased had died. They then cautioned and arrested him for murder.
‘The arresting officers commented that at times he was upset but at other times displayed an air of arrogance and did not appear to appreciate the severity of the situation.’
Mr Keenan told the court that the accused was ‘well known’ to the police, social workers and the Children’s Reporter for Moray as he had been reported to the police on ‘numerous occasions’ for offending including an assault on another a bus driver.
Elgin Bus Station, where the brutal assault was carried out
He received a supervision order for the incident which terminated in January 16 – just weeks before the attack on Mr Rollinson.
Mr Rollinson had worked for Stagecoach for about a year after previously serving with the RAF.
The lawyer said the youth was ‘noticeably intoxicated’ before deciding to head home on after 10pm. However, Mr Rollinson refused admission.
Mr Keenan added: ‘The accused was agitated and upset and argued with the deceased.
‘The deceased turned off the engine, told other passengers he was not moving until the accused got off, and made his way onto the concourse.
‘The accused got off the bus and called the police to complain about the deceased refusing to allow him to travel.’
The court heard that the youth started to film Mr Rollinson with his mobile phone before the driver grabbed the phone and the two started to struggle.
Describing the attack, Mr Keenan said: ‘At this the accused completely lost control, raining punches on the deceased’s head and body.
‘The deceased did not retaliate but tried to get away. The accused was later found to have a fractured bone in his hand.
‘He was eventually pulled away by another youth. The deceased appeared initially to be fine but shortly after bending over to pick up his cap collapsed to the ground unconscious.
‘He was immediately assisted by a colleague, then later by police and paramedics.
‘Advanced life-saving procedures were performed at the locus. He was conveyed to hospital. He never regained consciousness.’
The accused left the scene in a taxi with his girlfriend.
A post mortem on Mr Rollinson recorded the cause of his death as being heart disease, diabetes and coronary issues.
But Mr Keenan said ‘The pathologist advised that the deceased had significant heart disease and would have been at risk of a sudden fatal cardiac event at any time.
‘Most likely the physical altercation as a whole led to increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia followed by cardiac arrest.
‘He also had diabetes which would have predisposed him to heart disease and as such may also have played a role in his death.
‘Given the close temporal relationship between the assault and collapse, the events appear linked, and had it not been for the assault he may not have died when he did.’
The youth will be sentenced at the High Court in Inverness next month.
Detective Inspector Andrew Wilson said: ‘Mr Rollinson’s death was a tragedy which affected a number of people across Elgin and the wider Moray area.
‘The thoughts of the entire policing team remain with his family, friends and colleagues who have suffered a devastating loss.
‘No one should expect to be the subject of violence while simply going about their job and today justice has been delivered with the conviction of the person responsible for this senseless act.
‘While no outcome can undo what happened I hope this guilty plea brings some measure of comfort to Keith’s family, friends, and colleagues.’
