A father of two has run off with a Ukrainian refugee just ten days after he and his long-term partner took the 22-year-old in, as he claims they’re in love. The woman says not her fault, and now her parents are ashamed of her.
Love at first sight? A couple takes in a refugee and man runs off with her after 10 days
Tony Garnett, 29, a security guard who is a father of two, and his long-term partner Lorna, 28, took in a 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee into their family home, offering shelter to the young woman who fled the city of Lviv.
Everything began with the best of intentions, the Sun reported. As the invasion of Ukraine by Russia intensified, Tony had signed up with the government refugee homing scheme designed to give refugees a place to stay who planned to go back to Ukraine when it became safe.
“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,” Tony says.
But when Sofiia Karkadym moved in, everything changed in only a week and a half.
Immediate bond
Tony seemed to have an instant rapport with young Sofiia.
“It was obvious from the start that Sofiia and I just clicked,” Tony said. “I speak a little Slovakian, and it’s not dissimilar to Ukrainian, so I was able to make myself understood to her in her language.”
“But if anything, that made things worse because Lorna didn’t know what we were talking about,” Tony continued. “Sofiia and I would sit and chat, have a drink and watch TV with Ukrainian subtitles, sometimes after Lorna had gone to bed.”
“We were getting on brilliantly, but at that time it was no more than that,” Tony insists. “Although I can see why Lorna started to feel jealous and resentful of her.”
“I knew something was happening between us and that Sofiia felt the same,” Tony added. “It was something neither of us could stop.”
“As soon as I saw him, I fancied him,” Sofiia admitted.
Ten days later, Lorna found her happy home turned upside down. Lorna ordered Sofiia to leave, and Tony followed.
After only 10 days, man and refugee say they’re in love
“I know people will think this has happened so fast, but Sofiia and I know this is right,” Tony says. “We’re planning the rest of our life together.”
“It’s been very quick but this is our love story,” Sofiia agrees. “I know people will think badly of me, but it happens. I could see how unhappy Tony was.”
“But it was Sofiia who came into my life, and that’s something I’ll always be thankful for,” Tony added.
Refugees has not her fault, but her parents are ashamed of her
Sofiia insisted, “I’m no homewrecker,” the Sun reported.
Friends of Lorna say she has been left “absolutely devastated” by Tony’s decision to leave with the refugee the couple took into their home.
“We’re sorry for the pain we’ve caused,” Tony insists, “but I’ve discovered a connection with Sofiia like I’ve never had before.”
Sofiia says the love triangle has created a wedge between her and her parents.
“My parents said they were ashamed and cannot even go outside because of me,” Sofiia said.
“They say that nobody in the UK will take in Ukrainians because of me,” Sofiia added. “Every UK family will now think, ‘I can’t take in a refugee because she will take my husband from me.'”
