Mum accused of killing baby daughter with hairdryer in Peterhead

A woman has gone on trial accused of killing her baby daughter who is alleged to have died from “significant” heat from a hair dryer.

Courtney Gartshore had allegedly taken alcohol and the class B stimulant mephedrone while in the “sole care” of three-month-old Dahlia-Rose Gartshore on September 30, 2023, at a property in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Prosecutors claim the 27-year-old did “culpably and recklessly” cause the child to be subjected to “significant and sustained” heat on her head and body from the hair dryer.

The culpable homicide charge states Dahlia-Rose’s injuries were so severe that she died as a result.

Gartshore, of Aberdeen, faces a separate accusation of wilfully neglecting Dahlia-Rose in the day leading to the death.

This includes claims that she drank alcohol to excess, did “co-sleep” with the baby while intoxicated, possessed controlled drugs and had the child live in “unsanitary conditions”.

There are said to have been dirty nappies, spoiled food and drink littered around.

Among other charges are accusations that Gartshore was in possession of mephedrone and cocaine.

The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Aberdeen on Tuesday and Gartshore remains on bail.