AN EVIL Scots mum who killed her baby daughter with a hairdryer has been jailed for six years.
Courtney Gartshore, 28, blasted tragic Dahlia-Rose to death with hot air after a night of partying in September 2023.
The helpless 13-week-old died in her mum‘s bed in the family home in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, after sustaining injuries so horrific that a paramedic thought her tiny body was decomposing.
Gartshore was found guilty of culpable homicide after a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen last month.
She was today sentenced to six years behind bars at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Judge Simon Collins KC called it a “uniquely disturbing” case.
He 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 Judge Collins acknowledged that Gartshore had not intended to harm or kill her baby, he said she was culpable in the “highest degree” of carelessness.
He added that it “should have been obvious” that Dahlia Rose was in “severe distress and pain”.
Judge Collins said her likely cause of death was hypothermia and heat stroke.
Gartshore’s defence lawyer Murray Macara called it a “truly tragic and distressing case”.
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 that she had provided appropriate care to her baby up until the night of her death.
Gartshore maintained that she has no recollection of using the hair dryer on her baby.
Mr Macara said that he could not provide a reasonable or compelling explanation for why Gartshore used the hairdryer on her baby, but he speculated that it was “culpably and recklessly” used as a source of heat.
Vile Gartshore spent nearly three years claiming she did nothing wrong – even lying to relatives that the tot was a victim of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
But jurors saw through her lies and took just an hour to nail her for the killing.
We told how pals believe she was trying to warm up the “frozen” child with the hairdryer after carrying her about on a cold night until 4am as she boozed and tried to score drugs.
The court heard how Gartshore downed booze from Aldi with friends in September 2023 before catching a taxi home following a “tiff” with one of them.
A neighbour claimed the monster mum had been taking a drug known as M-CAT, or mephedrone, and was trying to get her hands on more.
However, allegations that Gartshore had M-CAT and coke in her possession were later dropped.
It was claimed CCTV footage showed the mum getting home with the youngster at 4am.
At around 9.40am Gartshore dialled 999 and claimed she had just woke up to find her baby dead.
During the chilling phone call, she made no mention of turning a hairdryer on the child.
She was originally charged with neglecting Dahlia-Rose and another child but was cleared.
Gartshore sobbed repeatedly throughout the trial and forced several breaks.
After the verdict, defence solicitor Murray McAara pleaded with Judge Simon Collins not to lock her up because of mental health issues.
We told previously how wicked Gartshore took to the stage on a boozy night out to perform a karaoke song – “dedicated” to little Dahlia-Rose.
She told revellers her performance of Shallow by Lady Gaga was in memory of the tragic infant during a holiday in Turkey after jetting out to party with her mum while on bail.
Gartshore’s mother, Leanne, disowned her after her conviction.
In an angry social media post, she wrote: “To my ‘daughter’. However long you get won’t be long enough. And I will never speak to you again as long as I have breath in my body.”
Leanne added: “I defended a down and out liar and a f****** good actress.”
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.”
