John Swinney was today slammed for refusing to guarantee that the killer of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson will have his free bus pass removed when he is released.
At First Minister’s Questions, Russell Findlay said the tragic case highlights so much that’s wrong with the SNP’s justice system.
The Scottish Conservative leader, who met Mrs Rollinson yesterday, said it was a “sickening affront” to the family that Keith’s killer wasn’t sent to prison and could be released after just two years in charity-run accommodation.
Swinney declined to answer directly when Findlay asked if he could promise Mrs Rollinson that her husband’s killer would have his free bus pass removed.
Findlay blamed the SNP’s soft sentencing guidelines and botched legislation on removing free bus passes from young thugs for exacerbating the family’s ordeal.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “It’s shameful that John Swinney cannot guarantee that the thug who attacked and killed Keith Rollinson will be stripped of his free bus pass.
“Keith’s killer previously attacked another bus driver, yet he was still allowed to keep his free pass.
“Our party has been campaigning for years to deny free travel from those who commit crimes and anti-social behaviour on buses.
“John Swinney agreed to make this happen last year, but nine months on it still hasn’t happened because the SNP government has botched the legislation.
“Keith’s widow, Sue, is rightly furious that her husband’s killer may still be entitled to free bus travel when he gets out.
“This tragic case highlights so much that’s wrong with the SNP’s weak justice approach.
“Keith’s killer could be back home after just two years.
“He was not sent to prison but instead to charity-run accommodation with a swimming pool and courtyard garden. He has not spent a single night in prison.
“That’s sickening and an affront to Sue Rollinson and her family.
“This killer was given a shockingly short sentence because of guidelines introduced by an SNP quango.
“Judges are told not to jail criminals aged up to 25, or to impose lighter sentences.
“Now John Swinney is set to free some prisoners after they have served just 30 per cent of their sentences.
“The SNP – stronger for criminals.
“Sue Rollinson gets her strength from her love of Keith and from the suffering she has endured at the hands of the SNP justice system.
“John Swinney must recognise the pain and anguish that his government is inflicting on good, decent people across Scotland.”