04 February 2023 , 20:56
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The house where a retired Russian spy was poisoned with Novichok has been sold.
Sergei Skripal, 71, and his daughter Yulia, 39, nearly died in the Salisbury attack almost five years ago.
Russian agents are believed to have sprayed the poison on the front door of the four-bed semi.
The Skripals survived after weeks in hospital and have been relocated. Police officer Nick Bailey was also seriously ill after searching the house.
Months later Dawn Sturgess, 44, a mum of three, died after handling a dumped scent bottle containing the nerve agent. Her partner Charlie Rowley, who found it, fell ill.
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Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in the property (EAST2WEST NEWS)Terrified neighbours wanted the house demolished after the attack in March 2018 made world headlines.
The following year a military team removed the windows and roof to decontaminate it. The house was declared safe in September 2019 and two years later Mr Skripal sold it to Wiltshire Council for £260,000.
A local has bought it in a shared ownership deal.
County councillor Phil Alford said: “We are in the process of selling 47 Christie Miller Road.
Dawn Sturgess died from the nerve agent in Salisbury (Reach Commissioned)“Work to refurbish the property will likely be completed in June. At that point the home will be reoccupied.
“We’re delighted this property in a lovely area will once again become a place that someone can call home.
“The community has been through an awful lot and we hope this closes a difficult chapter for them.”
The Russian state is believed to have ordered the attack on double agent Mr Skripal – who had been jailed in Russia for spying for MI6 and then pardoned – on March 4 2018.
Police say the Novichok could have killed thousands. They have named three Russians as suspects.