Real estate agent, 44, charged with intent to MURDER for lashing out at his girlfriend, 27, and her friend, 29, with a samurai sword after booze binge at his $2million Sydney home – as he is stood down from his job
- Real estate agent Karl Howard, 44, accused of attacking two women on Monday
- Ray White Balmain principal allegedly punched a woman, 27, at his Sydney home
- NSW Police were called to the $2million home at Annandale about 5am Monday
- Woman’s friend, 29, tried to intervene and was allegedly hit with a samurai sword
- The principal at Ray White Balmain has been stood down by the real estate giant
- He has been charged with wound with intent to murder among other charges
Real estate agent Karl Howard (pictured) has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wound with intent to murder and trespassing
A prominent real estate agent has been charged with intent to murder for allegedly lashing out at two women with a samurai sword after a booze binge at his $2million Sydney home.
Karl Howard, 44, allegedly attacked his girlfriend and her friend inside his multi-million dollar home on Ferris Street in Annandale, in the city’s inner-west, just after 5am on Monday.
Howard allegedly punched his 27-year-old girlfriend in the head, before turning on her friend – a 29-year-old – who tried to intervene.
The trio had been drinking since Sunday afternoon, according to The Daily Telegraph.
It is understood Howard met the younger woman on a dating app in recent months, following the breakdown of a six-year relationship last year.
Police allege Howard fled the scene and dumped his belongings in a skip bin just up the road, while the two women sought help from neighbours.
He was eventually arrested on nearby Macquarie Street and suffered an injury to his elbow while being restrained.
NSW Police have since charged Howard with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wound with intent to murder and trespassing.
He was formally refused bail and will appear at Newtown Local Court on Wednesday.
NSW Police returned to his home on Tuesday to seize two cars – including a BMW with a Ray White logo on the side – which will now be forensically examined as part of the investigation
NSW Police detectives watch on as two cars were towed away from Howard’s garage
Howard – the principal at Ray White Balmain – was stood down by the real estate giant before charges were laid.
Detectives returned to his home on Tuesday to seize two cars – including a BMW with a Ray White logo on the side – which will now be forensically examined as part of the investigation.
A long-time friend of Howard’s said the incident was ‘out of character’ for the highly respected real estate agent.
‘We’re all really worried about him,’ she said.
‘We’ll be there to support him, it is just really out of character. He’s a successful, very talented man… it’s very sad for him to be honest.’
Howard’s friend said the women he is alleged to have attacked ‘have not been on the scene long’.
Police tape remains wrapped around a skip bin at a building site on Ferris Street – just some 50 metres from the scene of the alleged attack – where Howard’s wallet and phone were allegedly found
Blood can be seen on the footpath directly opposite Howard’s home, where his girlfriend and a friend ran for help after the alleged attack
In a statement, Ray White said they had decided to stand down Howard until the end of any criminal proceedings.
‘The Ray White Group is an Australian family owned and led business and it expects a high standard of personal conduct from all its members in representing the brand,’ a spokesperson for the real estate giant said.
The two women were treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA), where they remain in a stable condition.
Neighbours on the normally quiet street described the incident as ‘shocking’.
‘I got woken up early yesterday morning and saw the flashing lights from the police car, but didn’t realise just what had happened until I saw the news,’
‘It’s a really nice, quiet, leafy street. You don’t expect something so shocking to happen here.’
Howard was eventually arrested on nearby Macquarie Street (pictured) and suffered an injury to his elbow during his arrest
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