Karl Adon Howard: Woman attacked by samurai sword-wielding real estate agent ‘grateful to be alive’

A woman bravely faced her attacker in court after he struck her with a samurai sword during a vicious, drug- and alcohol-fueled bout of “senseless violence.”

Karl Adon Howard appeared in NSW District Court on Friday for a hearing to determine his sentence after admitting to assaulting two women during a terrifying ordeal.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting one woman and causing actual bodily harm to her and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to the second woman.

However, the 46-year-old was found not guilty of intent to kill or murder the woman he attacked with a samurai sword. His attorney argued that he was unable to form an intent to harm the woman because he was experiencing drug psychosis.

The two women were in Howard’s Annandale unit in Sydney’s inner west one evening in February 2021, the court was previously told.

One of the women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court that Howard held her against a wall, punched her, and then hit her with a samurai sword as she lay on the floor.

“I stand before you today as a survivor of a brutal and life-changing attack that took place two years ago,” she told the court.

“The physical pain was excruciating, but the emotional and psychological pain and trauma that followed was immeasurable.”

The victim explained that the unprovoked attack had a “profound and lasting effect on (her) life” and that she was suffering from “ongoing pain and anguish” and “immeasurable” psychological pain.

She told the court she underwent “multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation” to recover after the terrifying attack left her “near death.”

While attending eight medical appointments a week, the woman explained that she wondered if she would ever be able to use her right arm again.

One of the victims of the attack told the court that Howard held her against a wall, punched her, and then hit her with a samurai sword (pictured, police footage of the gruesome scene after the attack)

Howard was found not guilty of intent to kill or murder the woman he attacked with a samurai sword (above)

“I’ve had to face countless challenges as I rebuild my life,” she said.

“The attack has affected every aspect of my existence.”

The victim said everyday tasks were made “insurmountable” by the “profound and lasting effects of this senseless act of violence.”

“I’m so thankful to be alive,” she told the court.

A lawsuit last year found Howard began behaving erratically and making violent gestures and telling the women he had taken Valium and Viagra.

The broker was also seen consuming large amounts of cocaine throughout the evening.

He was in the middle of a cocaine binge at the time of the brutal attack and had not slept for seven days, the court was told earlier.

Howard (above) pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman and causing her actual bodily harm and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to the second woman

Judge Antony Townsend told the court he was considering sentencing Howard to a warrant, which would allow him to serve out his term in the community.

“It’s not a course I would consider, except he’s been in prison for so long,” he said.

The real estate agent spent a year in pre-trial detention before being released on bail to go to a rehabilitation center.

The judge noted that the sentence would give him the best chance to commit to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Prosecutor Stephen Wilkinson argued that Howard had recently violated his strict bail conditions by drinking alcohol, raising the possibility of further noncompliance.

Judge Townsend gave the real estate agent time to prove he could commit to rehabilitation and meet his bail conditions.

The court ruled that Howard was experiencing drug psychosis the night of the attack (pictured Howard during the arrest)

Howard hid in a ute’s tray (above) in an attempt to evade police after the attack

The case will be heard in court on November 17. Until then, according to the court, Howard must abstain from drugs and alcohol.

After fleeing his Ferris St home on the night of the vicious attack, the 46-year-old was captured on CCTV as he ran into a nearby lane and jumped into the back of a ute.

He covered himself with the tarp before stumbling out of the tray and running down the street. He was arrested just minutes later.

Police CCTV footage played during his trial shows Howard writhing on the floor and growling like an animal at officers during his arrest.