New Zealand-born real estate agent charged with attempted murder for ‘samurai sword attack’ in Sydney

A New Zealand-born real estate agent in Sydney has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly lashing out at two women with a samurai sword after a night full of alcohol.

Karl Howard allegedly attacked his girlfriend and her friend inside their $ 2 million home in Sydney shortly after 5 a.m. Monday.

The 44-year-old man allegedly hit his 27-year-old partner on the head and tried to strangle her before he turned his attention to his friend.

It is claimed that he attacked the 29-year-old friend with a samurai sword and stabbed her while trying to intervene.

Police allege that Howard fled the scene and dumped his belongings in a dumpster while the two women sought help from nearby residents.

The women were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and treated for their injuries.

Police arrested Howard when he allegedly hid behind a parked car as he staggered home more bloodied from his own injuries, the Daily Telegraph reported.

During his arrest, the Kiwi-born realtor suffered a dislocation in his shoulder and was taken to hospital under police surveillance.

At the scene, police recovered several items, including a samurai sword that was seized for a forensic examination.

The trio had been drinking since Sunday afternoon, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Since then, the NSW police have charged Howard with assault resulting in actual bodily harm, injury with intent to murder and burglary.

Bail was denied.

Howard, the director of Ray White Balmain, was removed by the real estate giant before the charges were filed.

“Ray White Balmain director Karl Howard was removed from the business on Monday pending a police investigation. The suspension has been extended until the charges against him are resolved,” a Ray White spokesperson told nine.com .au.

“The Ray White Group is a family-owned and run Australian company and expects a high level of personal conduct from its members. We do not tolerate violence in any form.

“We are concerned about the well-being of everyone involved and counseling services are being offered to the staff.”

A friend of Howard’s told Daily Mail Australia that the incident was “out of character” for the respected agent.

“We are all really worried about him,” he said.

“We will be there to support him, he is really out of place. He is a very talented and successful man … it is very sad for him to be honest.”

Howard’s attorney, John Sutton, told ABC it was too early to say whether his client would be fighting the charges against him, including the attempted murder and assault that caused actual bodily harm.

“I don’t have those instructions. He’s in the hospital, I don’t have those instructions,” he told ABC.

“He has several physical injuries of his own, he has undergone surgery.

“I think he cares much more than losing his job, it is a very unfortunate circumstance.”

Howard met his girlfriend on a dating app in recent months, the Daily Mail reported.

After Howard recovers from surgery at the hospital, he will be transferred to a prison before facing Newtown Court on April 8.