I left my family to start a new life with Ukrainian lodger…now we’re skint after it cost me my business
A BRIT who left the mother of his children for a Ukrainian refugee has revealed his new relationship has cost him his job and livelihood.
Tony Garnett, 29, walked out on partner Lorna and their two kids for refugee Sofiia Karkadym, 22, just 10 days after she took shelter in the family's Bradford home.
But just over a week later, Lorna, 28, accused Sofiia of setting her sights on her man.
Sofiia packed her bags, but Lorna was left heartbroken after security guard Tony followed her out of the door.
The new couple faced torrents of abuse, with some social media users claiming
And now Tony says the backlash has boiled over into his professional life – leaving his business in tatters.
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He told the : "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 said that he's now a carer for Sofiia, who is partially blind after suffering an eye infection on her journey to the UK from Lviv.
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"As of now, she’s my priority. She needs my care,” he said.
Tony explained that until recently he ran a successful security firm that included lucrative NHS contracts.
But he quickly saw his small business empire crumble after his recent media attention left health service officials concerned.
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."
But three months on and the situation is yet to improve. Tony said he’s been forced to ask family members for handouts as he struggles to earn a living.
Money has got so tight that he can’t afford to put furniture in his new rental property that he shares with Sofiia.
“I’ve maxed credit cards out, I’ve been helped out by family members.”
LVIV AT FIRST SIGHT
The Sun previously broke the news about Tony and Sofiia, who he met after deciding to sign up to the Government scheme to house refugees in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
He found the application process too slow so took to social media to offer help.
Tony was introduced to Sofiia on Facebook and offered to become her UK sponsor.
IT manager Sofiia made her way from Kyiv to Manchester airport and moved in with Tony and Lorna in Bradford, West Yorks.
But within days tensions rose as Tony and their new guest grew close — and Lorna began regretting ever opening up their rented home.
Lorna told The Sun became increasingly suspicious that Sofiia wanted more than just a roof over her head.
And her concern grew when Sofiia would put on make-up, and wear a low-cut top only around the time Tony returned 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.
“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."
Read More on The Sun
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This week, The Sun revealed Tony had been banned from approaching his ex - the mum to their two daughters - after she took him to court over allegations he sent her abusive texts.
Tony agreed to the non-molestation restraining order without admissions.
