British father Tony Garnett reunites with his family after refugee ex-girlfriend returned to Ukraine
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The British father who left his partner and two children for a Ukrainian refugee before dumping her has been reunited with his family today by order of a judge.
Tony Garnett, 30, his former partner Lorna, 28, and the kids were able to legally be together for the first time in five months.
He had been the subject of a ‘non-molesting’ order after he left Lorna for Ukrainian refugee Sofiia Karkadym, just 10 days after the couple welcomed her to their home in Bradford.
But a judge has lifted the ban on Tony, who celebrated by picking up his daughters from school and taking them to a park.
Tony Garnett, 30, his former partner Lorna, 28, and the kids could legally be together for the first time in five months
Garnett’s daughters seemed excited to be back with their dad when he took them to the park
Garnett and Lorna both watched and played with the girls, who were delighted to be with both parents for the first time in five months.
He had been the subject of a ‘non-molesting’ warrant after he left Lorna for Ukrainian refugee Sofiia Karkadym, just 10 days after the couple welcomed her to their home in Bradford
Sofiia Karkadym, 22, (left) after breaking up with security guard Tony Garnett (right), boarded a plane home from Manchester Airport on Monday
‘I am overwhelmed with words. It’s so great to be with my kids again. They come for everything,” Tony told MailOnline.
The family hearing at Bradford Crown Court heard there was no bitterness between the couple and Tony had broken up with 22-year-old Sofiia.
She has flown back to the war-torn country and to her family after Tony ended the relationship last week.
Lorna said outside the court, “I was always concerned about the words ‘molesty’ in court against Tony. It can send all wrong messages.
“He’s actually a great father who loves his daughters dearly. I know he missed them very much.
“But I had to get a court order against him because I was really worried if his girlfriend, whom he left me for, would persuade him to flee to Ukraine with her and our daughters.
A judge lifts ban on Tony, who celebrated by picking up his daughters from school and taking them to a park
‘I am stunned without words. It’s so great to be with my kids again. They come for everything,” Tony told MailOnline
Lorna said the girls “really missed Tony” and “keep asking where their dad was” – but she was worried his then-girlfriend might persuade him to bring the girls back to Ukraine
“As I rationalized, I realized I was unnecessarily paranoid. He would never do that, but it was difficult to communicate with him when she was on the scene.
“Until today, we hadn’t really talked or heard each other’s opinions for months.
“Sofiia who was on the scene poisoned the family. I’m really glad she’s gone.
“Tony and I don’t get together anymore and I have an appointment with someone else now. He likes that.
“But we’re going to put our children first. We hardly ever rowed anyway, but that he left me for her certainly put us in a very difficult situation regarding the children.
“They really missed him. They kept asking where their father was. I’m happy now that he can see them whenever he wants. I’m glad about that.’
The guard left the mother of his two children, 28-year-old Lorna Garnett (pictured), for the refugee
Ms Karkadym and Mr Garnett say goodbye at Manchester airport on Monday
Mr Garnett (pictured at the airport on Monday) has now said that ‘getting involved with Sofiia was a big mistake’
Tony said, “One of the main reasons I broke up with Sofiia was because she hated the fact that I had two daughters. I would always talk about it. She’s not a mother, so she wouldn’t understand.
“She always said things like ‘you love the kids more than me’. And she was absolutely right.
“Getting involved with Sofia was a big mistake. I’ve explained all the reasons before and I’m glad it’s all behind me now.
“I’m moving on with my life and I’ve had so many offers from people on TV and magazines that want to put me on the cover, so I’m going to get into all that stuff and spend as much money as I can with our daughters .’
Sofia is back in Ukraine after her romance with Tony faltered and she moved back
The couple, who had been together for eight years, started talking again after being brought together by MailOnline for an interview at the Bradford home they shared last week.
Tony and Sofia had an affair in May after she arrived at the house he shared with Lorna after she fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
They admitted to being attracted to each other and moved out of the family home and in with his parents before finding a rental home.
In the early stages of their affair, the couple were blissfully happy and even talked about the marriage and the rest of their lives together.
But the romance cooled after a series of fights he said were caused by drinking strong beer and tantrums.
Tony Garnett, 30, his former partner Lorna, 28, and the kids could legally be together for the first time in five months
Sofiia admitted that she found it difficult that he could not have more children (he had a vasectomy) and that he already had two children with his ex-partner, about whom he regularly spoke with great pleasure.
But Tony said, ‘I’m happy to be friends with her. She sent me a message from Ukraine that she is okay.
“The best thing that’s happened is I’m back with my daughters. They have been ‘daddy this daddy there’ and that makes me really happy.
“Just to be able to take them to the park and also to McDonald’s are the simple things I’ve missed.
“Even though we’re not together, her mother and I, I’m glad to be with them again.”