A 16-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to culpable homicide for the death of a bus driver in Elgin, Scotland, has had his appeal against his four-year and four-month sentence rejected by the Appeal Court. The court ruled that the sentence was not excessive and that there was no miscarriage of justice.
A teenage boy who fatally assaulted a bus driver in Elgin , Scotland , has had his appeal against his sentence dismissed. Keith Rollinson, 58, died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest following the attack at a bus station in February 2024. The 16-year-old, who was 15 at the time of the incident and cannot be named for legal reasons, initially faced a murder charge but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide . He was sentenced to four years and four months by Lady Hood.
The teenager subsequently appealed against the sentence, but judges Lord Matthews and Lord Beckett ruled it was not excessive. Lord Matthews, in his published judgment, stated: 'The sentence is not excessive. There has been no miscarriage of justice and the appeal is refused.' During the plea hearing in Edinburgh, the court heard that the boy had spent the evening drinking with other youths in Elgin town centre and intended to catch the last bus home. The assault occurred when Mr Rollinson refused to allow him to board due to his intoxicated state. An altercation ensued on the concourse, during which Mr Rollinson took the teenager's phone and threw it to the ground, stamping on it several times. Prosecutors described the teenager's response as 'completely losing control, raining punches on the deceased's head and body'. Mr Rollinson collapsed and was transported to Dr Gray's Hospital but never regained consciousness. A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Rollinson had a pre-existing heart condition, making him susceptible to a sudden fatal cardiac event at any time. The medical examiners concluded that the physical altercation likely triggered increased blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, leading to cardiac arrest. The Crown argued that 'had it not been for the assault, he may not have died when he did'.The court also learned that the teenager had prior offenses, including being under a supervision order for another assault on a bus driver that concluded just weeks before the fatal incident. Lord Matthews emphasized: 'The court must endeavour to protect people who provide a service to the public and can be in a vulnerable position. It is of significance that this is not the first time the appellant had assaulted a bus driver. Such conduct must be deterred.' A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) commented: 'We note the decision of the Appeal Court.
Culpable Homicide Appeal Bus Driver Assault Sentence Elgin Scotland
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