Poison victim Charlie Rowley 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: “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 haul.

"I didn’t know if I’d ever feel happy again after Dawn died, but I do because of Kim. I’m thankful we found each other.”

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

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

“I’ll always have my memories of Dawn and she’ll forever be in my heart. I’ve still got the order of service from her funeral and look at it whenever I feel sad. I’ll always love her.”

Dawn, 44, died after handling novichok disguised as perfume.

Charlie had found it in a charity bin and gave it to her as a present.

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

Kim said: “I always thought Charlie was lovely and when he sent a Facebook message it caught my eye.

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