Real estate agent Karl Howard (pictured) has been charged with attempted murder over an alleged attack on two women on Monday
A top real estate agent took four Viagra pills before he allegedly made unwanted sexual advances on a woman and sliced her friend with a samurai sword when she rushed to her aid.
Karl Adon Howard, 44, was refused bail on Wednesday over the horrific alleged attack on a 27-year-old love interest and her 29-year-old friend at his home in Annondale, in Sydney’s inner-west, in the early hours of Monday morning.
Howard, the co-owner of Ray White Balmain, had been intimately involved with the younger of the two women in recent weeks after meeting her on a dating app, and invited her and her friend over for drinks on Sunday afternoon.
But about 5 the next morning the mood had deteriorated, with Howard allegedly choking his love interest and trying to forcibly kiss her.
As the 27-year-old to break free of his grasp Howard allegedly ‘king hit’ her four times.
When her friend tried to help the real estate agent then allegedly turned on her, using a samurai sword to slice her right arm deeply.
Newtown Local Court heard that only after Howard slipped were the pair able to escape and run down the street screaming for help.
The identities of the two women cannot be reported after an interim non-suppression order was put in place by Magistrate Glenn Bartley.
Howard allegedly choked his love interest and tried to forcibly kiss her, and as the 27-year-old to break free of his grasp Howard allegedly ‘king hit’ her four times
When her friend (pictured) tried to help the real estate agent then allegedly turned on her, using a samurai sword to slice her right arm deeply
Anthony Sissian appeared on behalf of the two women and told the court that their names should be suppressed because, despite no sexual assault-related charges being laid against Howard, the case had a ‘sexual nature’.
‘This wasn’t a consensual kiss, it was a forced kiss while one of the complainants was being strangled and before she was king hit four times,’ Mr Sissian told the court.
‘It was after the taking of four Viagra pills and the only reason a person would take those four pills before strangling and forcing his tongue down the victim’s throat was because he had sexual intent.
‘By chance the victim escaped, but I hate to think what would have happened if he didn’t slip over.’
Police prosecutor Alexandra Tomasetti joined Mr Sissian in calling on Magistrate Bartley to protect the victims names.
She told the court that having their names in the media would cause ‘undue stress and embarrassment’.
Howard was due to appear in court, but he remains in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with a dislocated shoulder he suffered during his arrest.
It was only after Howard slipped were the pair able to escape the home and run down the street screaming for help
Howard was due to appear in Newtown Local Court on Wednesday, but he remains in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with a dislocated shoulder he suffered during his arrest
NSW Police returned to Howard’s home on Tuesday to seize two cars – including a BMW with a Ray White Balmain logo – which will now be forensically examined as part of the investigation
The real estate agent’s lawyer John Sutton fronted court on his behalf and did not apply for bail, with Howard remanded in custody until at least April 8.
Outside court Mr Sutton told reporters his client’s situation was ‘very unfortunate’.
‘He’s got various physical injuries of his own, he’s undergone surgery and we’re just awaiting outcomes to understand what the doctors say,’ Mr Sutton said.
‘I think he’s worried about more than just losing his job. It’s a very unfortunate circumstance.’
In the aftermath of the alleged attack the two women fled to a neighbouring house.
When NSW police arrived Howard allegedly tried to flee the scene, but officers found him hiding next to a car just a street away.
During his arrest he suffered a dislocated shoulder and was taken to hospital.
Late on Tuesday night he was charged with wounding with intent to murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and trespassing.
Police have also taken out restraining orders on behalf of both women.
Daily Mail Australia understands Howard broke up with his long-term girlfriend – a fellow real estate agent – between 18 months and two years ago.
NSW Police detectives watched on as the two vehicles were towed away from Howard’s garage
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
He recently met his newest love interest through an online dating app and she attended his home on Sunday with her friend.
A friend of Howard said he had owned the samurai sword for many years and it was a collector’s item, that usual remained stored away in a box.
‘He’s had the samurai sword for a long time, but it never comes out of the cupboard,’ his friend said.
‘It’s a collectors item, it’s not like he used it for protection or in case of intruders.
‘The saddest part is that his whole business and reputation is ruined. It’s very sad.’
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.
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
Howard was eventually arrested on nearby Macquarie Street (pictured) and suffered an injury to his elbow during his arrest
In a statement, Ray White said they 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.
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.’
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