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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
ByAnthony Thrower & Charles Gray

Ukrainian refugee, 22, moves in with Yorkshire couple - 10 days later the dad leaves his girlfriend for her

A Yorkshire dad has left the mother of his two young children to be with a 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee that had only moved into the couple's home 10 days before.

Security guard Tony Garnett, 29, from Bradford, decided to leave his 28-year-old partner Lorna, for Sofiia Karkadym - a young Ukrainian woman who had moved into the couple's home after fleeing her hometown of Lviv.

Sofiia was taken in by the Bradford pair after Tony signed up to the government's rehoming scheme. However, The Mirror reports that he became impatient and reached out on social media to speed up the process.

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Tony became Sofiia's sponsor and she moved into their home. Just over a week later, he decided to leave his partner and their two kids for a new life with the young Ukrainian woman.

Tony told The Sun: “It began with a simple desire from me to do the right thing and put a roof over the head of someone in need, a man or woman.

“It came to a head last Saturday when she (Lorna) really went for Sofiia, yelling at her, using some harsh language that left her in tears. She said she didn’t feel she could stay under our roof any more and something inside me clicked. We’re sorry for the pain we’ve caused but I’ve discovered a connection with Sofiia like I’ve never had before.”

Refugee Sofiia Karkadym was kicked out of the house after ten days - with Tony leaving with her (@sonya_dobrvlsk/Instagram)

Sofiia said that "these things happen" and added that "as soon as I saw him I fancied him". She went on to say: "It’s been very quick but this is our love story. I know people will think badly of me but it happens.”

Lorna grew fed up of the close bond Sofiia and Tony had. It has been reported that they would go to the gym together and sit for hours talking in the car park.

She ordered Sofiia to leave only for Tony to drop the bombshell that he was leaving too, with the couple currently staying at his parents' home.

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