A woman bravely stood up to her attacker in court after he struck her with a samurai sword during a vicious attack of “senseless violence” fueled by drugs and alcohol.
Karl Adon Howard appeared in New South Wales District Court on Friday for a sentencing hearing after admitting to assaulting two women during an ordeal.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman causing actual bodily harm and to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to the second woman.
However, the 46-year-old man was found not guilty of attempting to kill or murder the woman he attacked with a samurai sword. His lawyer argued that he could not form the intent to harm the woman because she was experiencing drug psychosis.
The two women were at Howard’s Annandale unit in Sydney’s inner west on a night in February 2021, the court was previously told.
Karl Howard (above) is due to be sentenced later this year after he attacked two women at their home in Sydney’s inner-west.
One of the women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Howard held her against a wall, beat her and then struck her with a samurai sword as she lay on the ground.
“I stand before you today as a survivor of a brutal, life-changing attack that took place two years ago,” he told the court.
“The physical pain was excruciating, but the emotion, psychological pain and trauma that followed has been immeasurable.”
The victim explained that the unprovoked attack had a “profound and lasting effect on (his) life” and that he suffered “continuous pain and anguish” and “immeasurable” psychological pain.
She told the court that she had undergone “multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation” to recover after the terrifying attack that left her “almost dead.”
While attending eight medical appointments a week, the woman explained that she was left wondering if she would ever be able to use her right arm again.
One of the victims of the attack told the court that Howard pinned her against a wall, beat her, and then struck her with a samurai sword (pictured is mugshots of the gruesome scene after the attack)
Howard was found not guilty of attempting to kill or murder the woman he attacked with a samurai sword (above)
“I had to face countless challenges while rebuilding my life,” he said.
The attack has affected every aspect of my existence.
The victim said everyday tasks had become “insurmountable” because of the “profound and long-lasting consequences of this senseless act of violence.”
“I am very grateful to be alive,” she told the court.
At a trial last year, Howard was said to have started acting erratically and making violent gestures and told the women he had taken valium and Viagra.
The real estate agent was also seen using large amounts of cocaine throughout the night.
He was in the midst of a cocaine binge at the time of the vicious attack and had not slept for seven days, the court was previously told.
Howard (above) pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman causing actual bodily harm and to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to the second woman.
Judge Antony Townsend told the court that he was considering sentencing Howard to an intensive correction order, which would allow him to serve his term in the community.
“It’s not a course I would consider except for the fact that he’s already spent so much time in jail,” he said.
The real estate agent spent a year in pretrial custody before being released on bail to attend a rehab center.
The judge noted that the sentence would give him the best opportunity to commit to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Crown prosecutor Stephen Wilkinson argued that Howard had recently breached the strict conditions of his bail by drinking alcohol, raising the possibility of a further breach.
Judge Townsend gave the real estate agent time to show that he could commit to rehab and meet the conditions of his bond.
The court determined that Howard was experiencing drug psychosis on the night of the attack (pictured, Howard during arrest)
Howard hid in the tray of a ute (above) in an attempt to evade police after the attack.
The matter will return to court on November 17. Until then, the court heard that Howard must abstain from drugs and alcohol.
After he fled his home on Ferris St the night of the vicious attack, security cameras caught the 46-year-old running into a nearby alley and jumping into the back of a ute.
She covered herself with the tarp before staggering out of the tray and running down the street. He was arrested minutes later.
In police body camera footage played at his trial, Howard can be seen writhing on the ground and growling like an animal at officers during his arrest.
