NOVICHOK VICTIM ON HIS NEW PARTNER I didn’t think I’d survive... let alone find love again

NERVE agent victim Charlie Rowley today tells how finding new love is helping him overcome his novichok hell.

His girlfriend Dawn Sturgess died and he was in a coma after handling the toxin – dumped in Salisbury by Russian hitmen.

It was touch-and-go as Charlie suffered strokes, meningitis and sight problems.

He was left suicidal. But then mum-of-five Kim Mahoney came into his life and brought a happiness he feared he would never feel again.

Charlie and Kim – both 46 – know each other from yesteryear and have already discussed marriage.

He said yesterday: “Kim has made me feel happy again and we love each other. She is really helping me overcome what I’ve been through. I know I’ve got a lot to get over, but we’ve broken down a lot of barriers. We just click.

“We’re not going to rush, but we have spoken about marriage. We’re in it for the long g haul. I didn’t know if I’d ever er feel happy again after Dawn n died, but I do because of Kim. m. I’m thankful we found each other.”

Charlie revealed he had spoken to Dawn’s family mily and received their blessing. g.

He added: “Dawn’s n’s dad Stan has been a diamond. ond. He sent a message congratulating tulating me and saying ‘nobody y should go through life alone’. .

“I’ll always have my y memories of Dawn and she’ll ll forever be in my heart.

“I’ve still got the order der of service from her funeral and look at it whenever I feel sad. . I’ll always love her.”

Perfume me

Dawn, 44, died after r handling novichok disguised as perfume. rfume. Charlie had found it in a charity ity bin and gave it to her as a present.

It was four months after Russian hitmen swooped on Salisbury, isbury, Wilts, to poison ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 67, and daughter Yulia, 34. They hey survived.

Kim said: “I always s thought Charlie was lovely and when he e sent a Facebook message it caught my eye. We met and chatted for hours. Then en Charlie asked if I wanted to come back to his house for a drink. I ended up staying three ree or four days!”

Charlie still has flashbacks and feels guilt about unwittingly giving ng poison to Dawn.

But he added: “Victim support are helping and talking about bereavement avement counselling. I feel ready y now to deal with it.”