Brit Who Chose Ukrainian Refugee Over Family Says He Is Now Broke

A British man who abandoned his children's mother for a Ukrainian immigrant has admitted that his new relationship has cost him his job and means of sustenance.

Just 10 days after seeking safety at the Bradford home of the Garnett family, Tony Garnett, 29, abandoned his partner Lorna and their two children in favor of Sofiia Karkadym, 22.

But just a little over a week later, 28-year-old Lorna claimed that Sofiia had her eye on her partner.

Although Sofiia had packed her things, security guard Tony followed her out the door, breaking Lorna's heart.

Social media users threatened to launch petitions to have Sofiia deported, and the new couple received bombardments of abuse.

The anger, according to Tony, has now spilled over into his working life, wrecking his business.

He told the Daily Star: "I’ve been trying to get by and survive with Sofiia with nowt.”

"I want to show people that I’m not a scrounger for government benefits, I know what's right.”

"I used to have a very successful business. I’ve dedicated myself to it, some weeks I put over 80 hours a week into it."

But he added that he now looks after Sofiia, who is partially blind after contracting an eye infection while traveling from Lviv to the UK.

"As of now, she’s my priority. She needs my care,” he said.

Tony said that up until recently, he had successfully managed a security company with large NHS contracts.

However, his modest business empire suddenly came crashing down when recent media attention raised concerns among health service officials.

In April he said: "Now and again I’m sending door staff to pubs and clubs but I’ve gone from earning nearly £2,000 a week to earning jack s***.”

"NHS said that because I’m now apparently a ‘public figure’ in the public eye they class it as a risk for me to be at any of these places.”

"I’m not a public figure, I’m just an outspoken individual."

However, three months later, nothing has changed for the better. Tony claimed that due to his financial difficulties, he has been compelled to beg for help from family members.

He can no longer afford to furnish the new rental home he and Sofiia share because money is so tight.

“I’ve maxed credit cards out, I’ve been helped out by family members.”

News about Tony and Sofiia was earlier reported by The Sun. Tony and Sofiia met after he decided to participate in the government's program to accommodate refugees following Russia's invasion.

The application process was too slow for him, so he turned to social media to ask for assistance.

On Facebook, Sofiia was introduced to Tony, who promised to sponsor her in the UK.

Sofiia, an IT manager, relocated to Bradford, West Yorks, with Tony and Lorna after traveling from Kyiv to Manchester Airport.

However, problems soon arose as Tony and their new guest got close, and Lorna started to regret ever having let anyone stay in their rented house.

The Sun was informed by Lorna that she was suspicious that Sofiia desired more than simply a roof over her head.

She became more worried when Sofiia would put on makeup and wear low-cut clothing only when Tony got home from work.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday Lorna said: “She set her sights on Anthony from the start, decided she wanted him and she took him.”

“I just don’t understand how he could throw all that away for a woman he’s known for a fortnight. The life I knew is shattered.”

Credit: NB PRESS LTD

“I would never put anyone off taking in refugees. This is a crisis in Ukraine and people like me will want to have the heart to help those in need.”

“But I don’t want this to happen to anyone else because it’s been devastating."

This week, The Sun reported that Tony had been banned from connecting to his ex-wife, the mother of their two girls after she sued him over claims that he had sent her abusive texts.

Without making any admissions, Tony consented to the non-molestation restraining order.

Credit: Louis Wood