Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Novichok victim out of hospital for family Christmas
NOVICHOK victim Charlie Rowley has left hospital and is looking forward to a happy family Christmas.
Lucky-to-be alive Charlie, 45, has been in and out of intensive care since he was exposed to the deadly nerve agent that killed his partner Dawn Sturgess in June.
He was discharged from hospital but became critically ill again in August after he contracted meningitis and suffered problems with his sight.
His brother Matthew Rowley, 47, revealed Charlie had moved into a new flat in Amesbury, Wiltshire, and the pair plan to have Christmas dinner together.
Relieved Matthew said: “Everything that’s happened has brought us closer together as brothers.
“He’s still a bit ill because of the meningitis and we don’t know the long-term effects of Novichok.
“He phones me every night and tells me what he is doing. He likes to get a friendly voice on the phone.
“Charlie says he doesn’t like to be alone - he is having nightmares and is feeling insecure.
“He is still dealing with the loss of Dawn and is living on his own. We are planning on having Christmas dinner together.
“I’m extremely relieved he is out of hospital and fingers crossed he is going to recover 100 per cent.
“It’s still all a bit daunting though because of what the future may hold. On the negative side he says his eyesight is not very good and his arms have also lost a bit of movement.”
Charlie and his partner Dawn, 44, fell ill on June 30 in Amesbury after coming into contact with a ‘perfume bottle’ containing the poison.
Tragically Dawn died, but medics saved Charlie and he was discharged in July before being readmitted to Salisbury district hospital in August.