Mother, 28, weeps as she is found guilty of killing her baby daughter with a hairdryer after night partying

A mother has been found guilty of killing her baby daughter with the heat from a hairdryer.

Courtney Gartshore, 28, sobbed as she was led to the cells at the High Court in Aberdeen after being convicted of killing three-month-old Dahlia-Rose in September 2023.

The baby suffered burns to 18 per cent of her body’s surface after Gartshore, who was accused of drinking beforehand, turned the hairdryer on her.

As Gartshore was taken away from the court weeping, a spectator in the public gallery shouted: ‘It’s far too late for that.’

Her daughter had died in her mother’s bed at the family home in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Dahlia-Rose’s injuries were so severe a paramedic thought her body was decomposing and experts said they had never encountered a similar case.

Gartshore had denied culpable homicide and told family and friends her daughter had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Jurors also heard a recording of a 999 call the mother made in which she said Dahlia-Rose had gone ‘purple’ while sleeping.

The only witness called in Gartshore’s defence, burns expert Timothy Burge, told jurors the baby was not killed by heat injuries in his view.

‘It could have been that she was already dead,’ he said.

The baby’s DNA was found on a hairdryer – advocate depute Alan Cameron, prosecuting, said the mother and daughter were the only two people in the property and therefore only Gartshore could have turned the appliance on.

After their verdict the judge offered the jury counselling if they felt it necessary.

‘We can all agree this had been a very distressing and disturbing case,’ he added.

A former friend of Gartshore’s said: ‘She is a total and utter scumbag. I don’t know how anyone could do that to a tiny, helpless baby.’

CCTV footage showed Gartshore arriving home after drinking with friends at around 4am, jurors were told.

She dialled 999 at around 9.40am claiming she had woken up to find her baby dead but did not mention the hairdryer.

Gartshore’s solicitor Murray McAra said she suffered with mental health issues.

Speaking after the verdict, 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 enquiry.

‘The unwavering commitment and professionalism shown by our officers and partner agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure this complex enquiry 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.’

Gartshore will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on August 14.