A New Zealand born man in Sydney has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly attacked two women with a samurai sword.
After a night of drinking, a 44-year-old real estate agent is alleged to have set upon his 27-year-old girlfriend, punching her in the head and attempting to strangle her.
When her 29-year-old friend tried to intervene, police say Howard stabbed her with a samurai sword before fleeing the Sydney apartment the three were drinking in.
The two women were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital.
Howard was found hiding behind a parked car, bloodied from his own injuries. He was arrested and taken to hospital under a police guard after his shoulder was dislocated during the arrest.
New South Wales Police have charged Howard with assault occasioning bodily harm, wounding with intent to murder and trespassing.
Howard had been the principal of Ray White Balmain, but was stood down after the incident.
"The suspension has been extended pending the resolution of charges against him," a spokesperson from Ray White told nine.com.au.
"The Ray White Group is an Australian family-owned and led business and it expects a high standard of personal conduct from its members. We do not condone violence in any form."
