A 24-year-old Bermudian appeared in court yesterday charged with stabbing an American tourist in broad daylight on Front Street last month.

Lorenzo Robinson is accused of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Scott Jable of Illinois, who was stabbed in the abdomen on October 28.

Robinson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the theft of a pocket knife and a ring on the same day, but he was not required to plead to the assault charge because it is indictable and will be dealt with at Supreme Court.

When Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said all matters would be dealt with at Supreme Court, Robinson said it was his "constitutional right" to have the non-indictable theft charges dealt with at Magistrates Court.

Robinson's lawyer Elizabeth Christopher asked Mr. Greaves to have the case heard by another Magistrate, which he refused.

Robinson then read a statement denying he was a Muslim or linked to any religious organisations.

He accused Mr. Greaves of "targeting him" because of the way he had dealt with him in a previous case and urged the Magistrate to "return to the great creator of the universe".

Mr. Greaves remanded Robinson in custody until November 13. Sharika Dill appeared for the Crown.

Mr. Jabel, 38, who was in Bermuda visiting friends with his wife and one-year-old child, was flown back to the United States on the day of the stabbing for medical treatment and is recovering.