EXCLUSIVE: British father who left his partner and two children for a Ukrainian refugee before dumping her is reunited with his family after judge removed restraining order

• EXCLUSIVE: Tony Garnett has been reunited with his ex partner and two kids
• He had been the subject of a ‘non-molestation’ order after he left Lorna, 28
• Garnett left Lorna for a Ukrainian refugee they took into their home 
• A judge has removed the order now and he has been reunited with his family 

The British father who left his partner and two children for a Ukrainian refugee before dumping her was reunited with his family today on a judge’s orders.

Tony Garnett, 30, his former partner Lorna, 28, and the children were able to be legally together for the first time in five months.

He had been the subject of a ‘non-molestation’ order after he left Lorna for Ukrainian refugee Sofiia Karkadym just 10 days after the couple welcomed her to their Bradford home.

But a judge has removed the ban on Tony, who celebrated by collecting his daughters from school and taking them to a park.

Tony Garnett, 30, his former partner Lorna, 28, and the children were able to be legally together for the first time in five months

Garnett’s daughters appeared thrilled to be back with their dad as he hit the park with them 

Garnett and Lorna both watched on and played with the girls, who were excited to be with both parents together for the first time in five months

He had been the subject of a ‘non-molestation’ order after he left Lorna for Ukrainian refugee Sofiia Karkadym just 10 days after the couple welcomed her to their Bradford home

Sofiia Karkadym, 22, (left) after her break-up with security guard Tony Garnett (right), boarded a plane home from Manchester Airport on Monday

‘I am chuffed beyond words. It’s so amazing to be back with my kids. They come before anything,’ Tony told MailOnline.

The family hearing at Bradford Crown Court heard that there was no acrimony between the couple and that Tony had split 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 court: ‘I was always worried about the words ‘molestation’ in court against Tony. It can send all the wrong messages.

‘He is actually a wonderful father who loves his daughters to bits. I know he has missed them a lot.

‘But I had to get a court order against him because I was really worried in case his girlfriend, who he left me for, persuaded him to run away to Ukraine with her and our daughters.

A judge has removed the ban on Tony, who celebrated by collecting his daughters from school and taking them to a park

‘I am chuffed beyond words. It’s so amazing to be back with my kids. They come before anything,’ Tony told MailOnline

Lorna said the girls ‘really missed’ Tony and ‘kept asking where their daddy was’ – but she was worried his girlfriend at the time could persuade him to take the girls back to Ukraine

‘When I rationalised, I realise that I was being unnecessarily paranoid. He would never do that, but it’s been difficult to communicate with him when she was on the scene.

‘Until today, we hadn’t really talked properly or heard each other’s views for months.

‘Sofiia being on the scene was poisoning the family. I’m really happy that she has gone.

‘Tony and I are not getting back together and I’m now seeing somebody else. He’s fine with that.

‘But we’re gonna put our children first. We hardly ever rowed before anyway, but him leaving me for her definitely put us into a very difficult situation regarding the children.

‘They really missed him. They kept asking where their daddy was. I’m glad now that he can see them when he wants. I’m happy about that.’

Tony said: ‘One of the main reasons I split with Sofiia was because she hated the fact that I had two daughters I would always talk about them. She’s not a mother, so she would not understand.

‘She used to say things like ‘you love the children more than me’. And she was absolutely right.

‘Getting involved with Sofiia was a huge mistake. I’ve explained all the reasons before and I’m glad it’s all behind me now.

‘I’m going to move on with my life and I’ve had so many offers from people in TV and magazines who want to put me on the cover, so I’m gonna be busy with all that kind of stuff and spend as much time as I can with our daughters.’

Sofiia is back in Ukraine after her romance with Tony faltered and she went 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 Sofiia struck up an affair in May after she arrived at the home he shared with Lorna after she fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They admitted that they were attracted to each other and moved out of the family home and in with his parents before finding a place to rent.

In the early stages of their fling, the pair were blissfully happy and even talked about marriage and spending the rest of their lives together.

But the romance turned cold after a series of arguments which he said were caused by her drinking strong beer and throwing temper tantrums.

Tony Garnett, 30, his former partner Lorna, 28, and the children were able to be legally together for the first time in five months

Sofiia admitted that she found the fact difficult that he could not have more children (he has had a vasectomy) and that he already had two kids with his ex-partner, who he regularly talked fondly about.

But Tony said: ‘I am happy to remain friends with her. She’s been messaging me from Ukraine she’s okay.

‘The best thing that has happened is that I’m back with my daughters. They have been ‘daddy this daddy there’ and that really makes me happy. 

‘Just to be able to take them to the park and also McDonald’s is the simple things that I have missed.

‘Although we’re not together her mum and me, I’m pleased that I’m back with them.’

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