A teenager who admitted murdering a bus driver in an attack that saw him headbutt and “punch” his victim has been jailed for four years and four months.

Keith Rollinson, 58, died in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest following the attack at a bus stop in Elgin in February.

The 16-year-old, who was 15 at the time of the incident and cannot be named for legal reasons, was initially charged with murder but last month pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The teenager was jailed by Lady Hood at the High Court in Inverness on Monday.

During the plea hearing in October, the High Court in Edinburgh heard how the boy had spent the evening drinking with other youths in downtown Elgin on February 2 and had planned to catch the last bus home.

Prosecutors said Mr Rollinson refused to allow him to board the bus because of his “visibly intoxicated” condition.

The teenager argued with the driver, at which point Mr Rollinson switched off the engine and told the passengers he would not be leaving until the boy got out of the vehicle.

While in the courtroom, the teenager was said to have pointed his phone in Mr Rollinson’s face, apparently filming him.

Solicitor depute John Keenan KC told the court: “The deceased took the phone which then led to a physical struggle during which the accused head butted the deceased.

“The struggle continued and the deceased threw the phone to the ground before stamping on it several times.

“At this, the accused completely lost control, raining punches on the deceased’s head and body. The deceased did not fight back, but tried to escape from the accused”.

Although he initially appeared to be unharmed, Mr Rollinson collapsed after bending down to pick up his cap from the ground.

He was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Moray but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead in the early hours of February 3.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Rollinson had a pre-existing heart condition and “there is a risk of a sudden fatal cardiac event at any time”.

It was noted that the physical altercation most likely would have led to increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, followed by cardiac arrest.

Mr Keenan added: “Given the close temporal relationship between the attack and the collapse, the events appear linked and had it not been for the attack he may not have died when he did.”

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The court also heard the teenager had a number of previous offences, including being on a supervision order for another attack on a bus driver which ended just weeks before the fatal one.

Sentencing, Judge Lady Hood said statements from Mr Rollinson’s family described him as “a true gentleman with a heart of gold and a wonderful husband and father”.

She said the family were “devastated by their loss” and that because of the circumstances of his death, they were unable to be with him when he died.

The young man’s barrister, Shelagh McCall KC, said her client understood the gravity of his actions and showed “sincere remorse” for it.

Stagecoach North Scotland said the firm was “shocked and saddened” by the incident, while the Unite union called for “stronger legal protection” for bus drivers.

Last week, Unite revealed the results of a mass survey of Scottish bus drivers, which reported that 84% had experienced increased abuse at work in the past year.

Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, said: “Urgent action must be taken to tackle the staggering level of abuse suffered by bus drivers.”