“SHE WANTS HER FREEDOM” — MOTHER SENTENCED AFTER BABY’S DEATH LAUNCHES APPEAL TO OVERTURN CONVICTION

SCOTLAND — A shocking case involving the death of a three-month-old baby has taken another dramatic turn.

Just weeks after being sentenced to six years in prison, Courtney Gartshore has launched an appeal against both her conviction and her sentence, setting the stage for another legal battle over what happened to her infant daughter, Dahlia-Rose.

The 28-year-old was unanimously convicted in July of culpable homicide following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen. She was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on August 14.

Now, court officials have confirmed that an intimation to appeal against both conviction and sentence has been lodged on Gartshore’s behalf, formally beginning the appeal process.

WHAT HAPPENED TO BABY DAHLIA-ROSE?

The case dates back to September 30, 2023, when emergency services were called to a property in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Gartshore had been drinking the night before and was the only person caring for her infant daughter.

According to evidence presented at trial, Dahlia-Rose was exposed to significant and sustained heat from a hairdryer.

The baby suffered severe burns covering approximately 18% of her body, including her head, face, neck, upper body and right arm.

Experts told the court that the burns themselves were potentially survivable, but the prosecution’s medical evidence concluded that the likely cause of Dahlia-Rose’s death was hyperthermia and heatstroke.

The exact reason the hairdryer was used remains unknown.

Gartshore has maintained that she has no recollection of using the hairdryer on her daughter.

THE JURY REJECTED THE DEFENSE THEORY

One of the most important points in the case was the disagreement between prosecution and defense experts.

The defense argued that Dahlia-Rose may already have died from another sudden and unexplained cause before being exposed to the heat.

But the jury rejected that explanation.

According to Judge Simon Collins KC’s sentencing statement, jurors were satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the heat from the hairdryer caused the infant’s death.

The conviction was therefore not for an intentional killing.

Instead, the case centered on culpable homicide caused by gross recklessness or carelessness.

The judge specifically noted that it was not the prosecution’s case that Gartshore intended to harm her daughter.

 WHY DID THE JUDGE GIVE HER SIX YEARS?

Judge Collins described the case as “uniquely disturbing and distressing.”

He said Dahlia-Rose was extremely young, vulnerable and completely dependent on her mother, making the conduct a serious breach of the basic responsibility of a parent to protect their child.

The court also considered evidence suggesting the hairdryer may have remained on for at least 20 minutes and possibly up to an hour.

The judge said that during this period, the baby’s severe distress and injuries should have been apparent.

Alcohol was also considered an aggravating factor.

At the same time, the court recognized several mitigating circumstances, including Gartshore’s young age, lack of previous convictions, history of mental-health difficulties and limited support while caring for her children.

The final sentence was six years in prison, backdated to July 16, 2026.

 NOW, SHE’S FIGHTING THE CONVICTION

Gartshore’s latest move does not automatically mean she will be released.

The appeal process must first proceed through the Scottish courts, where the grounds of appeal will be considered.

She is challenging both the conviction and the sentence, meaning the legal fight could potentially address whether the guilty verdict should stand, whether the punishment was excessive, or both.

For now, however, the six-year sentence remains in place.

 A CASE THAT HAS ALREADY SPARKED OUTRAGE

The case attracted additional attention because Gartshore had previously been allowed to travel to Turkey while on bail awaiting trial.

Reports about that trip triggered criticism after photographs and videos emerged showing her socializing and taking part in karaoke.

That controversy added another layer to an already highly publicized case.

But the central issue now is back inside the courtroom.

Can Gartshore overturn her conviction?

Can she persuade an appeal court that the six-year sentence should be reduced?

Or will the original verdict remain untouched?

For now, the appeal has officially begun — and the case surrounding Dahlia-Rose is far from over.

One conviction. One six-year sentence. And now, one more fight for freedom. ⚖️