Baby may have been dead before hairdryer burns, expert tells trial

A baby girl who allegedly died due to heat from a hairdryer may already have been dead before she was burned, a trial has been told.

Courtney Gartshore, 28, denies culpable homicide while her three-month-old daughter Dahlia-Rose was in her care in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, in September 2023.

Consultant plastic surgeon and burns expert Dr Timothy Burge told the High Court in Aberdeen his view was the heat injures did not cause the baby's death.

He said her injuries indicated her head had been in one position, and he found it hard to think how a child in a lot of pain would not have moved.

Burge told Murray Macara, KC, defending, he was on the National Crime Agency list of expert witnesses and had dozens of published works about burns.

The court heard Dahlia-Rose had suffered burns to 18% of the surface area of her body.

Burge, giving evidence remotely after examining material related to the case, said if the baby had been alive at the time she could have survived the injuries.

"It could have been she was already dead," he told the sixth day of the trial.

"I take the view the heat injury did not cause the death."

He added he did not know what the cause of death was.

Under cross-examination by advocate depute Alan Cameron KC, prosecuting, he was asked if the heat injury was possibly the cause of death.

"I think it is not likely," Burge said.

"But it's possible?" Cameron replied.

"Yes," the defence witness said.

The trial had previously heard the infant's DNA was found on a hairdryer.

Gartshore is accused of culpably and recklessly causing Dahlia-Rose to be subjected to heat from the appliance while the child was in her sole care.

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

It is claimed Gartshore had consumed alcohol beforehand.

Other charges she had originally faced have now been dropped by the Crown.

The trial, before Judge Simon Collins, continues on Thursday, when the jury will hear closing speeches.