Courtney Gartshore, 28, has been sentenced to six years in prison for killing her three-month-old daughter Dahlia-Rose by exposing the child to heat from a hairdryer. The sentencing took place at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, August 14.
Conviction and Sentencing
Gartshore had denied culpable homicide but was convicted last month of culpably and recklessly causing Dahlia-Rose to be exposed to heat from a hairdryer while the child was in her sole care. Prosecutors stated that the injuries inflicted were so severe that the three-month-old died as a result.
The infant suffered burns to 18% of her body, and her DNA was subsequently found on the hairdryer. Gartshore was reported to have consumed alcohol and taken the Class B drug mephedrone prior to the incident.
Incident and Investigation
Police were summoned to a property in King Street, Peterhead, by the Scottish Ambulance Service on September 20, 2023. Dahlia-Rose was declared dead at the scene. An investigation was initiated, and Gartshore was arrested and charged in November that year.
Other charges initially faced by Gartshore were abandoned by the Crown before the case reached the jury. Jurors took just over an hour to deliver their unanimous verdict on the seventh day of the trial on Thursday, July 16.
Family Tribute and Detective's Statement
Gartshore collapsed in tears as she was escorted from the dock. Her sister, Stacey Gartshore, posted a tribute to her niece after the verdict, writing: "Well, my beautiful little darling - I can finally look at your photos and say I hope your beautiful wee soul is finally at peace now. Justice was served and rightfully so."
Detective Inspector James Callander said: "Children are defenceless and should be protected. The death of any child is particularly harrowing, but a child's death at the hands of a parent is incredibly disturbing." He also expressed thanks to the local community for their support and cooperation during the investigation.
