Murderer adolescent, responsible for bus driver's death, to obtain complimentary SNP bus pass upon release.
Rewritten Article:
In an outrage, the wife of a bus driver brutally murdered by a youthful offender has lashed out at the Scottish Government for reinstating the attacker's free bus pass upon his release from prison. Keith Rollinson, a former RAF electrical engineer, met his tragic end last year following a brutal assault by a 15-year-old drunk at a bus station in Elgin, Moray.
The boy, now eligible for the Scottish Government's 2022 travel scheme offering unlimited free bus travel to Under-22s, will resume his privileges upon serving his sentence. Mrs Rollinson, 62, appeals to the SNP to revoke the passes from offenders who harm or kill drivers. Her demand finds backing from the Confederation of Passenger Transport and calls for stricter sanctions from Ministers.
Upon release, the offender, soon to be around 21, will be granted continued use of his pass. Mrs Rollinson fiercely remarks: "It's unfathomable that the individual who assaulted and killed my husband will receive a free bus pass once released, despite attacked and even attempting to kill another driver before."
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has sent letters to both Justice Secretary Angela Constance and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, requesting an immediate adjustment to the rules. "The devastated public deserves a clear commitment to revoke passes from abusers," he stated.
The shocking incident transpired at Elgin bus station, where Mr Rollinson was simply performing his duties. Unfortunately, the short sentence imposed was due to an early guilty plea and the offender's age, which placed him under the 2022 Scottish Sentencing Council's under-25 sentencing guidelines.
The boy has since been transferred to a 'therapeutic' secure care unit in Paisley, thanks to additional SNP rules passed last year preventing minors under 18 from serving prison sentences.
Politicians initially agreed to suspend passes for abusers in 2021, but an amendment proposed by the Scottish Greens, which omitted any reference to the bus scheme, was supported by several parliamentarians.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said, "The Cabinet Secretary for Transport has met Unite representatives to confirm her commitment to providing a full range of tools to support police, local authorities, and bus operators in addressing this issue."
To establish a fair and transparent system, the Scottish Government could consider the following steps:
- Define clear criteria for misconduct: Develop a clear definition of what constitutes abuse or harassment towards bus drivers.
- Establish a straightforward reporting process: Provide an easy way for drivers and staff to document incidents of abuse or harassment.
- Establish a fair investigation process: Ensure that reported incidents are reviewed impartially.
- Introduce sanctions and penalties: Introduce policies for dealing with individuals found to have abused or harassed drivers.
- Launch a public awareness campaign: Promote respect for drivers and staff through various channels.
- Protect data privacy: Ensure compliance with Scotland's data protection laws when handling collected data.
- Update legislation: Consider legislative changes to support these policy changes and ensure legal consequences for offenders.
By addressing this issue through a structured approach, the Scottish Government can ensure a safer and more respectful environment for bus drivers and passengers alike.
- Mrs Rollinson advocates that the Scottish Government revoke free bus passes from offenders who harm or kill drivers, following the reinstatement of a young offender's pass who murdered her husband.
- In light of the murder of Keith Rollinson by a 15-year-old offender, the Confederation of Passenger Transport supports stricter sanctions from Ministers, demanding the removal of free travel passes from abusers.
- Upon serving his sentence, the offender will be entitled to a Scottish Government travel scheme offering unlimited free bus travel to Under-22s, despite his past crimes against bus drivers.
- Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has requested an immediate adjustment to the rules, stating that the public deserves a clear commitment to revoke passes from offenders who harm or kill drivers.
- In an effort to prevent similar incidents, the Scottish Government could propose a policy addressing the issue of abuse or harassment towards bus drivers, which would include clear criteria for misconduct, an easy reporting process, impartial investigations, sanctions and penalties, public awareness campaigns, data privacy protection, and legislative changes.
