Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson’s death - Youth admits ‘culpable homicide’
A drunk teenager who killed Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson was said to have displayed an “air of arrogance” about the attack.
The 16-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, today admitted a charge of committing culpable homicide at the town’s bus station on February 2, 2024.
Speaking at the High Court in Edinburgh today, prosecutor John Keenan KC told how th the youngster had spent the evening drinking alcohol with friends in Elgin town centre.
He then decided to travel home. However, Mr Rollinson refused to allow him onto the bus due to his level of intoxication.
Mr Rollinson asked the other passengers to get off while he sought help from his Stagecoach colleagues, but the youth launched a vicious assault on the married dad.
Members of the bus driver’s family walked out of court as Mr Keenan played CCTV footage of the attack.
It showed the youth headbutting Mr Rollinson before repeatedly punching him on the head and body. This caused the former RAF man - who suffered from significant health issues - to fall over, collapse and eventually die.
Mr Keenan added that the police tracked the youth down soon afterwards/
The advocate depute said: “The accused was quickly identified and traced to his home address. 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.
“He made unsolicited comments that he had acted in self-defence and that he had prayed to God the deceased would be alright. He mentioned he had sustained a hand injury.”
The story emerged after the youth pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of Mr Rollinson at a hearing this morning.
Mr Keenan told the court that the accused was “well known” to the police, social workers and the Children's Reporter for Moray.
The prosecutor said the youth had been reported to the police on “numerous occasions” for offending including an assault on another a bus driver.
Mr Keenan added: “He was subject to a supervision order which was terminated on January 16, 2024, in relation to this last matter.”
The court heard that the youth was “noticeably intoxicated” when he had turned up at the bus station shortly after 10pm.
Mr Keenan added: “The accused was agitated and upset by this and argued with the deceased, telling him it was illegal to refuse travel to someone under 16 and he had no other way to get home.
“The deceased turned off the engine of the bus, told other passengers he was not moving until the accused got off the bus, and made his way onto the concourse.
“The accused continued to protest, and it was clear he had issues with the deceased.
“He 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.
Mr Rollinson then grabbed the phone and the pair started to struggle.
The youth then headbutted the driver who threw the phone onto to the ground before stamping on it several times.
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 by ambulance. He never regained consciousness, and life was pronounced extinct at 12.45am on Saturday February 3.”
The court heard how the accused left the scene in a taxi with his girlfriend.
Police later traced the taxi driver who said that the youngster had discussed the assault several times during the journey.
The youth also later phoned a friend and admitted hitting the bus driver.
The cause of Mr Rollinson’s death was later recorded as heart disease, diabetes and coronary issues.
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 arrythmia 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.”
Defence advocate Shelgah McCall KC said she’d reserve her mitigation until a sentencing hearing which will be held next month.
Lady Hood deferred sentence to obtain a report on the youngster’s background.
Remanding him in custody she added: “I am going to call for a criminal justice social work report. Your status will remain unchanged.“
The youth will be sentenced at the HIgh Court in Inverness on Monday, November 18.
