Novichok accidentally given ‘as a present’ to attack victim
ONE of the Amesbury Novichok attack victims has revealed that he accidentally gave his girlfriend who died from the poison a tainted bottle that he believed to contain perfume as a present.
Charlie Rowley’s partner Dawn Sturgess died on July 8 after the pair became exposed to the deadly nerve agent after handling a contaminated bottle later found in Mr Rowley’s home.
Mr Rowley said he recalls a “cosmetic bottle”, which he gave to Ms Sturgess.
“I’m feeling very low about Dawn,” he told a local newspaper. “I remember finding a cosmetic bottle which I had picked up and gave it to Dawn as a present.
“I feel very sad about what happened to her, it’s awful and shocking.
“I was still on medication when they told me she passed away. I don’t think I will ever be able to get over it.
“My heart goes out to Dawn’s family.
“It’s amazing that I’m alive. In a way I feel lucky I survived, but I’ve also lost so much.”
The couple became ill at a property in Muggleton Road in Amesbury, 13km from Salisbury in Wiltshire and were taken to hospital.
Mr Rowley and Ms Sturgess (44) were victims of the second nerve agent attack in four months following the case of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
They were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March.
Police are believed to have identified the suspected perpetrators of the Novichok attack on Russian former spy Mr Skripal and his daughter.
Mr Rowley (45) was discharged from Salisbury District Hospital on Friday after being admitted on June 30.
Speaking about those who discarded the bottle, Mr Rowley said: “It’s very careless of them, the way they go about their business leaving things lying around.
“It was meant for someone, it was wrong to leave it lying around for anyone to pick up. There could have been children playing with it.”
‘It’s amazing that I’m alive. In a way, I feel lucky I survived, but I’ve also lost so much’
Meanwhile, his brother, Matthew Rowley, revealed: “His (Charlie’s) legs are playing up and he can’t really walk. He was up on Sunday but he is really weak still.
“I’ve been trying to push him for information but he has been through a really traumatic thing.
“It’s difficult talking to him as he still can’t really remember anything.
“He hasn’t talked about Dawn and I don’t want to ask because I’m trying to lift his spirits, not bring them down.”
Matthew Rowley also told the newspaper that his brother is “very lethargic” and “does not seem himself ”.