‘SHE WANTS HER FREEDOM’ — MUM CONVICTED OVER BABY DAHLIA-ROSE’S DEATH LAUNCHES BID TO OVERTURN CONVICTION

Courtney Gartshore has launched a legal bid to overturn both her conviction and six-year prison sentence after being found guilty in the death of her three-month-old daughter, Dahlia-Rose.

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

Now, only weeks after being sentenced, she has formally begun the appeal process.

Court officials confirmed that an intimation to appeal against both the conviction and sentence has been lodged on her behalf.

The move does not mean her conviction has been overturned.

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

A THREE-MONTH-OLD BABY

Dahlia-Rose Gartshore was just three months old when she died at a property on King Street in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on September 30, 2023.

Emergency services were called to the address after concerns were raised about the infant.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation followed, and Gartshore was arrested and charged in November 2023.

Nearly three years later, the case finally reached trial.

The jury unanimously found Gartshore guilty of culpable homicide on July 16, 2026.

THE HAIRDRYER EVIDENCE

The prosecution case centered on the use of a hairdryer.

The court heard that Gartshore, having consumed alcohol and while solely responsible for Dahlia-Rose, caused the infant to be exposed to “significant and sustained heat” from the appliance on her head and body.

The injuries were severe.

The likely cause of death was identified as hyperthermia and heatstroke, rather than burns alone.

The court also heard that the infant suffered extensive burns over around 18% of her body.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the hairdryer had been used for a prolonged period, with the prosecution case suggesting it may have been operating for up to an hour.

SHE SAID SHE COULDN’T REMEMBER

One of the most striking elements of the case was Gartshore’s account of what happened.

She 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 reasonable or compelling explanation for why Gartshore had used the appliance.

He suggested that she may have believed the baby was cold and may have attempted to use the hairdryer as a source of warmth.

The defense described the circumstances as a “truly tragic and distressing case.”

THE JUDGE’S BLUNT ASSESSMENT

When Gartshore was sentenced on August 14, Judge Simon Collins KC described the case as “uniquely disturbing.”

He acknowledged that she had not intended to harm or kill her daughter.

But he concluded that her conduct represented an exceptionally serious level of carelessness.

The judge said it should have been obvious that Dahlia-Rose was experiencing severe distress and pain.

He described the incident as a gross breach of the most basic duty a parent owes to a child.

Gartshore was sentenced to six years in prison.

NOW SHE IS FIGHTING THE CONVICTION

Just weeks after receiving that sentence, Gartshore has begun challenging the outcome.

Her lawyers have lodged an intimation of appeal against both her conviction and sentence.

The appeal process now moves forward through Scotland’s court system.

A note of appeal is due to be lodged by October 20, according to STV.

At this stage, there has been no ruling in her favor.

The conviction remains valid.

The sentence remains six years.

And the appeal has not yet established that the original verdict was wrong.

THE FAMILY’S HEARTBREAK

The legal challenge comes after a devastating trial for Dahlia-Rose’s family.

The case has already divided opinion over Gartshore’s responsibility and her explanation of what happened.

The sentencing judge accepted that she had not intended to cause fatal harm, but still found her culpable to the highest degree because of the extreme carelessness involved.

For those who loved Dahlia-Rose, the appeal now means the case is entering another chapter.

The original conviction is no longer the final word in the courtroom.

But neither has it been overturned.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Gartshore’s legal team must now set out the grounds on which they believe the conviction and sentence should be challenged.

An appeal can involve arguments about the legal process, the conviction itself, the sentence imposed, or other grounds permitted by the court.

Whether any of those arguments will succeed remains unknown.

For now, Gartshore remains in prison.

Dahlia-Rose’s story remains at the center of the case.

And the question facing Scotland’s appeal courts will be whether there is a legal basis to overturn the verdict — or reduce the sentence imposed for the death of a three-month-old baby.