‘SHE WANTS HER FREEDOM’… MUM CONVICTED OVER BABY DAHLIA-ROSE’S DEATH LAUNCHES BID TO OVERTURN SIX-YEAR SENTENCE

SCOTLAND — Courtney Gartshore is fighting to overturn both her conviction and six-year prison sentence in a shocking new legal twist following the death of her three-month-old daughter, Dahlia-Rose.

The 28-year-old was convicted of culpable homicide after a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen in July.

She was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on August 14.

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

But the filing does not mean her conviction has been overturned — and it does not mean she is being released from prison.

Instead, it opens another legal battle over the verdict and the punishment imposed for the death of her baby.

THE CASE THAT SHOCKED SCOTLAND

The tragedy happened on September 30, 2023, at a property on King Street in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Gartshore had been drinking and was the only person caring for Dahlia-Rose at the time.

The court heard that the infant was subjected to “significant and sustained heat” from a hairdryer across her head and body.

The injuries were devastating.

Experts told the court that Dahlia-Rose suffered burns affecting around 18% of her body, including areas around her head, face, upper body and arm.

The baby’s likely cause of death was identified as hyperthermia and heatstroke, rather than the burns themselves.

GARTSHORE SAID SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER

Throughout the case, Gartshore maintained that she had no recollection of using the hairdryer on her daughter.

Her defense lawyer, Murray Macara, told the court that he could not provide a compelling explanation for why she had used it.

He suggested that Gartshore may have believed the baby was cold and may have attempted to use the appliance as a source of warmth, although the court ultimately found her responsible for the fatal consequences of what happened.

The circumstances left the court struggling to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred.

‘UNIQUELY DISTURBING’

During sentencing, Judge Simon Collins KC described the case as “uniquely disturbing.”

He said Gartshore would have to live with the knowledge that she was responsible for her daughter’s death.

The judge described what happened as a gross breach of the most basic duty of a parent.

Although he acknowledged that Gartshore had not intended to harm or kill Dahlia-Rose, he concluded that her conduct amounted to the highest degree of carelessness.

The judge also said it should have been obvious that the infant was experiencing severe distress and pain.

SIX YEARS BEHIND BARS

Gartshore received a six-year prison sentence.

The sentence was imposed after the court considered both the seriousness of the harm and the circumstances surrounding Gartshore’s actions.

She was taken into custody following her conviction.

Now, just weeks after receiving that sentence, she is challenging the outcome.

Her legal team has lodged an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence, meaning the challenge could potentially address the finding that she was culpable for Dahlia-Rose’s death as well as the length of time she must remain in prison.

BUT THE APPEAL IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

The development does not mean Gartshore has won anything yet.

An intimation of appeal is the formal beginning of the process.

The conviction remains in place unless and until an appeal court decides otherwise.

Her six-year sentence also remains in force unless it is changed through the appeal process.

That distinction is crucial as the case enters its next legal chapter.

For Dahlia-Rose’s family, however, the appeal means the devastating case may not be over.

A BABY AT THE CENTER OF A LEGAL BATTLE

Dahlia-Rose was only three months old.

She was entirely dependent on the adults around her for protection and care.

The circumstances surrounding her final hours have already resulted in a criminal conviction and a prison sentence.

Now they will also become part of an appeal that could determine whether that conviction and sentence stand.

For Gartshore, the legal fight represents an attempt to challenge the outcome that has placed her behind bars.

For Dahlia-Rose’s family, it means reopening a chapter they may have hoped was finally closed.

And as the appeal process begins, one thing remains unchanged:

Dahlia-Rose was only three months old when her life ended — and the legal battle over what happened to her is far from finished.

SCOTLAND — Courtney Gartshore is fighting to overturn both her conviction and six-year prison sentence in a shocking new legal twist following the death of her three-month-old daughter, Dahlia-Rose.

The 28-year-old was convicted of culpable homicide after a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen in July.

She was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on August 14.

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

But the filing does not mean her conviction has been overturned — and it does not mean she is being released from prison.

Instead, it opens another legal battle over the verdict and the punishment imposed for the death of her baby.

THE CASE THAT SHOCKED SCOTLAND

The tragedy happened on September 30, 2023, at a property on King Street in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Gartshore had been drinking and was the only person caring for Dahlia-Rose at the time.

The court heard that the infant was subjected to “significant and sustained heat” from a hairdryer across her head and body.

The injuries were devastating.

Experts told the court that Dahlia-Rose suffered burns affecting around 18% of her body, including areas around her head, face, upper body and arm.

The baby’s likely cause of death was identified as hyperthermia and heatstroke, rather than the burns themselves.

GARTSHORE SAID SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER

Throughout the case, Gartshore maintained that she had no recollection of using the hairdryer on her daughter.

Her defense lawyer, Murray Macara, told the court that he could not provide a compelling explanation for why she had used it.

He suggested that Gartshore may have believed the baby was cold and may have attempted to use the appliance as a source of warmth, although the court ultimately found her responsible for the fatal consequences of what happened.

The circumstances left the court struggling to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred.

‘UNIQUELY DISTURBING’

During sentencing, Judge Simon Collins KC described the case as “uniquely disturbing.”

He said Gartshore would have to live with the knowledge that she was responsible for her daughter’s death.

The judge described what happened as a gross breach of the most basic duty of a parent.

Although he acknowledged that Gartshore had not intended to harm or kill Dahlia-Rose, he concluded that her conduct amounted to the highest degree of carelessness.

The judge also said it should have been obvious that the infant was experiencing severe distress and pain.

SIX YEARS BEHIND BARS

Gartshore received a six-year prison sentence.

The sentence was imposed after the court considered both the seriousness of the harm and the circumstances surrounding Gartshore’s actions.

She was taken into custody following her conviction.

Now, just weeks after receiving that sentence, she is challenging the outcome.

Her legal team has lodged an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence, meaning the challenge could potentially address the finding that she was culpable for Dahlia-Rose’s death as well as the length of time she must remain in prison.

BUT THE APPEAL IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

The development does not mean Gartshore has won anything yet.

An intimation of appeal is the formal beginning of the process.

The conviction remains in place unless and until an appeal court decides otherwise.

Her six-year sentence also remains in force unless it is changed through the appeal process.

That distinction is crucial as the case enters its next legal chapter.

For Dahlia-Rose’s family, however, the appeal means the devastating case may not be over.

A BABY AT THE CENTER OF A LEGAL BATTLE

Dahlia-Rose was only three months old.

She was entirely dependent on the adults around her for protection and care.

The circumstances surrounding her final hours have already resulted in a criminal conviction and a prison sentence.

Now they will also become part of an appeal that could determine whether that conviction and sentence stand.

For Gartshore, the legal fight represents an attempt to challenge the outcome that has placed her behind bars.

For Dahlia-Rose’s family, it means reopening a chapter they may have hoped was finally closed.

And as the appeal process begins, one thing remains unchanged:

Dahlia-Rose was only three months old when her life ended — and the legal battle over what happened to her is far from finished.