Real estate agent Karl Howard accused of attacking women with samurai sword

A prominent Sydney real estate agent has been accused of attacking two women at Annandale on Monday morning.

The scene at Ferris Street in Annandale. Picture: Richard Dobson

A prominent Sydney real estate agent is accused of attacking two women at his inner-city home yesterday, with police investigating whether a samurai sword was used in the incident.

Police allege Karl Howard, 44, was with the two women, aged 27 and 29, in his home in Ferris St, Annandale when the attack happened about 5am.

It is alleged Howard — who is listed as the principal of the Ray White Balmain agency — punched the 27-year-old in the head and then attacked the 29-year-old with a weapon, which police believe to be a samurai sword.

He then allegedly fled the house, which is on the market for $2 million, while the women went to a neighbour’s home and called police.

A 44-year-old man was arrested nearby. Picture: Richard Dobson

Howard is alleged to have jumped a neighbouring fence after the incident, but was later arrested next to a vehicle in a nearby street.

Karl Howard.

One of the alleged victims had met Howard online recently and was said to be in an intimate relationship with him.

The other woman is her friend. Both were in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a satisfactory condition last night.

Detectives and forensic officers spent yesterday at the home and a samurai sword and other items were seized.

“During the arrest, the man suffered an injury to his elbow and was taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital under police guard,’’ a police spokesman said.

“The women will be further interviewed as part of the investigation.’’

No charges were laid as of last night but are expected in the next day or two.

Neighbours at the scene yesterday used a high-pressure hose to wash off blood which was spread across the driveway and into their front yard and lounge room.

Blood splattered on the footpath near the home. Picture: Richard Dobson

Nearby construction workers said they found a wallet and phone inside their construction bin down the road from the crime scene.

“We told the police and they came to take them,” worker Dion Kahn told The Daily Telegraph. “There was blood in there as well.”

Howard was still listed as being the principal of Ray White Balmain on its website last night, however his photograph and bio in the “Our Team’’ section had been removed. The site said Howard enjoyed “an enviable reputation based on integrity and client satisfaction’’.