A mother who killed her three-month-old daughter with a hairdryer wept as a judge sentenced her to six years behind bars. Courtney Gartshore was convicted last month of the culpable homicide of her daughter Dahlia-Rose.
Sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, August 14, Judge Simon Collins KC sentenced the 28-year-old for what he described as a “uniquely disturbing” case. He told Gartshore: “You will have to live the rest of your life with the knowledge that you were responsible for her death.”
Gartshore appeared in court via video link wearing a navy prison uniform. She cried and was visibly emotional throughout the sentencing.
Details of the incident
Emergency services were called to a property on King Street in Peterhead after the incident on September 30, 2023. Dahlia-Rose was pronounced dead at the scene. Gartshore used the hairdryer to subject Dahlia-Rose to “significant and sustained heat” on the head and body, fatally injuring her. She had earlier been drinking while she had been in sole charge of the infant.
An investigation into the child’s death was launched, and Gartshore was arrested and charged in November 2023. She was convicted of the culpable homicide of her daughter following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen in July.
Judge’s remarks
Judge Collins said: “It is tragic as well as terrible. You will have to live the rest of your life with the knowledge that you were responsible for her death. This was a gross breach of the most basic duty as a parent.” Although he acknowledged Gartshore had not intended to harm or kill her baby, he said she was culpable in the “highest degree” of carelessness. He added it “should have been obvious” Dahlia-Rose was in “severe distress and pain”.
Judge Collins said her likely cause of death was hyperthermia and heat stroke. Gartshore’s defence lawyer Murray Macara called it a “truly tragic and distressing case”.
Defence details
Since she was taken into custody, Mr Macara said Gartshore has spent approximately 23 hours a day in her cell, which he said is to ensure her own safety and protection. He said Gartshore has a history of childhood trauma, mental health problems, overdoses and self-harm, but argued she provided appropriate care to her baby up until the night of her death. Gartshore maintained she has no recollection of using the hairdryer on her baby. Mr Macara said he could not provide a reasonable or compelling explanation for why Gartshore used the hairdryer on her baby, but he speculated it was “culpably and recklessly” used as a source of heat.
The court heard Gartshore used the hairdryer on Dahlia-Rose for up to an hour, resulting in burns to approximately 18% of her body surface – particularly to her head, neck, upper body and one of her arms. He said the injuries were “severe and disfiguring” but evidence showed they were likely “survivable”.
Police statement
Following her conviction, 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. Everyone involved in this investigation was deeply affected by the circumstances of Dahlia-Rose’s death, but our job is to uncover the truth and ensure that the person responsible is brought to justice. I would like to express sincere thanks to everyone who supported what was an incredibly difficult and sensitive inquiry. The unwavering commitment and professionalism shown by our officers and partner agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure this complex inquiry was conducted thoroughly and with the utmost care, dignity, and respect. I also want to acknowledge the local community, for their patience, understanding and support throughout this investigation, particularly those who came forward with information, whose cooperation has been invaluable in helping us establish the truth and secure this conviction.”
