Woman accused of killing her baby daughter with a hairdryer

BBC A person wearing a parka walks outside a court building covering her face in a black materialBBC
Courtney Gartshore covered her face as she walked into court

A woman has gone on trial accused of killing her baby daughter, who is alleged to have died from "significant and sustained" heat from a hairdryer.

Courtney Gartshore is accused of "culpably and recklessly" causing Dahlia-Rose Gartshore to be subjected to heat from the appliance while the child was in her care in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on 30 September 2023.

It is also claimed she consumed alcohol and took the Class B drug mephedrone while in sole charge of her three-month-old daughter.

Gartshore, 27, denies a charge of culpable homicide, along with other charges, and is on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Prosecutors allege that Dahlia-Rose's injuries were so severe that she died as a result.

The exterior of the High Court in Aberdeen. A sign on a pale grey building reads Mercatgate / Sheriff Court Annexe / High Court of Justiciary

Gartshore, of Aberdeen, faces a separate charge of wilfully neglecting Dahlia-Rose on 29 and 30 September 2023.

This includes claims she drank alcohol to excess, did "co-sleep" with the baby while intoxicated and possess controlled drugs.

It is further claimed the property was unsanitary, with soiled nappies and spoiled food and drink littered around.

Another charge alleges that Gartshore was in possession of mephedrone and cocaine.

The trial is expected to last around 10 days.