by A teenager has admitted causing the death of a bus driver in an attack in which he was seen hitting his head and “raining” his victim. Keith Rollinson, 58, died of cardiac arrest following the attack at Elgin bus station on 2 February 2024.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Friday that the attack began at around 10.30pm after Mr Rollinson refused to allow the teenager to board his bus because of his “significantly intoxicated” condition. The 16-year-old, who was 15 at the time of the incident and cannot be named for legal reasons, had spent the evening drinking with other youths in Elgin town center and went to the bus station on St. Giles Road with the intent. catching the last bus home.
The court heard that he argued with the bus driver and apparently started filming on his phone and, when the driver grabbed the phone, the teenager hit him on the head, before “raining punches” on one’s head and on the body of Mr. Rollinson. After initially appearing unharmed, Mr Rollinson collapsed after bending down to pick up his cap from the ground.
He was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at 12.45am on 3 February. The teenager was quickly tracked down by police and initially charged with murder, but later pleaded guilty to the guilty charge. murder.
Solicitor depute John Keenan KC told the court: “The accused attempted to board the bus, but was refused travel due to his drunkenness. The accused was agitated and upset by this and insisted he with the deceased, telling him that it was illegal to refuse travel to a person under the age of 16 and he had no other way to get home. The deceased turned on the engine of the bus, he told passengers another that he was not moving until the accused got off the bus, and made his way into the conference.”
He explained that the 15-year-old continued to argue with him and “put his phone in the face of the deceased, apparently filming him”. He continued: “The deceased took the phone, which led to a physical struggle in which the accused punched the deceased.
“The struggle continued and the deceased threw the phone to the ground before repeatedly stomping on it. At this, the accused completely lost control, raining blows on the deceased’s head and body. the accused .”
Mr Keenan added: “The deceased appeared to be all right at first but, shortly after bending down to pick up his cap, he fell to the ground unconscious.”
He told the court that a post-mortem examination found Mr Rollinson had a pre-existing heart condition and was “at risk of a sudden fatal cardiac event at any time”. He continued: “The overall physical change probably resulted in increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and cardiac arrest.”
He added: “Given the close temporal relationship between the attack and the fall, the events appear to be connected and, if not for the attack, he may not have died when he did.”
He also told the court that the teenager had a number of previous offenses and was subject to a supervision order for a previous assault on a bus driver which took place just weeks before the attack on February 2. Members of Mr Rollinson’s family were present. at the left hearing and the court was shown footage of the incident, which was caught on CCTV cameras at the bus station.
Shelagh McCall KC, representing the teenager, told the court that a report would need to be drawn up before her client could be sentenced. She added: “I intend to reserve any relief until a report is available.”
Judge Lady Hood told the teenager since the Crown accepted his guilty plea, “I formally convict you in terms of that plea”.
She added: “You will need reports before you proceed to sentencing. So I am going to ask for a criminal justice social work report.”
She said a sentencing hearing would take place at Inverness High Court on November 18, 2024. The teenager, who was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, did not show any response as he was led from the courtroom.
Detective Inspector Andrew Wilson said: “Mr Rollinson’s death was a tragedy which affected many people across Elgin and the greater Moray area. The thoughts of the entire police force remain with his family, friends and colleagues who have suffered a terrible loss .
“No one should expect to be the subject of violence in the course of their work and today justice has been delivered with the conviction of the person responsible for this senseless act. with any result to undo what happened, I hope this guilty plea will bring some comfort to Keith’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Chief Inspector Mike McKenzie, area commander for Moray, said: “Since the death of Keith Rollinson, we have been working closely with a range of partners to tackle youth disorder in Elgin, particularly around the bus station. This work will continue and we are committed to working with partners to prevent and deter anti-social behaviour.”
