Mother guilty over baby's hairdryer burns death

A tragic case concluded with a mother being found guilty of causing the death of her infant daughter due to injuries sustained from exposure to heat from a hairdryer. Courtney Gartshore, aged 28, faced charges relating to the death of her three-month-old baby, Dahlia-Rose, who was under her sole care at the time in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in September 2023. Although Gartshore denied culpable homicide, the jury reached a verdict in just over an hour on the seventh day of the trial, determining her guilty. Following the verdict, Gartshore was visibly emotional and was taken to the cells. Her sentencing is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Edinburgh on 14 August.

The court found that Gartshore had recklessly caused Dahlia-Rose to suffer severe injuries through the use of a hairdryer, which ultimately led to the child’s death. It was noted during the trial that Gartshore had consumed alcohol prior to the incident. While she initially faced multiple charges, the Crown dropped others as the proceedings continued. The focus remained on the central charge of culpable homicide due to the fatal injuries inflicted.

Alan Cameron, the advocate depute representing the prosecution, described the case as a deeply tragic and heartbreaking event. During his closing argument, he emphasized the fact that only Gartshore and Dahlia-Rose were present in the home at the time, meaning Gartshore was the only person who could have operated the hairdryer. He also highlighted testimony from witnesses who had seen Dahlia-Rose shortly before her death and had not observed any injuries. Although Cameron noted that the jury did not need to ascertain the motive behind turning on the hairdryer, he suggested that alcohol could have been a contributing factor, and pressed the jury to deliver a verdict free from sympathy or bias.

Following the conviction, Detective Inspector James Callander spoke about the case, underscoring the vulnerability of children and society’s duty to protect them. He stated, “Children are defenceless and should be protected.” Reflecting on the nature of the crime, Callander described a child’s death caused by a parent as “incredibly disturbing.” He acknowledged the emotional toll the investigation had on all involved and reiterated the commitment to uncovering the facts and ensuring justice is served in the wake of Dahlia-Rose’s death

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