The trial of a Southampton man heard allegations from his cousin that she saw him robbing and punching an American tourist after knocking him and his wife to the ground.

Paul Lamar Smith, 37, of Scenic Heights Drive, is accused of attacking Michael Connelly on November 26, 2005, as he and his wife walked back to their hotel.

Smith denies the charge, but at the start of his Supreme Court trial, his cousin Afnik Williams-Hyde, gave evidence that she saw the alleged crime take place.

Opening the case for the Crown, Senior Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney had claimed that Smith attacked Mr. Connelly in an attempt to take his wallet after the couple had dinner at the Tio Pepe restaurant.

The pair had arrived on the Island earlier that day and decided to take a walk back to the Fairmont Southampton Princess that evening, before Smith leapt upon Mr. Connelly across from the Southampton Rangers Club, the court heard.

The prosecution contends that both visitors were knocked to the ground during the process and a wrestling match between Smith and Mr. Connelly ensued.

Mr. Connelly latched onto Smith's leg to prevent him from escaping with his wallet, according to the prosecution.

Crown witness Mrs. Williams-Hyde testified that while driving along South Shore Road near the Rangers club, she saw what appeared to be two men "rolling around in the ground and playing".

It wasn't until seeing a woman, believed to be Mrs. Connelly, screaming for help, as she tried to pull Smith off of her husband that she stopped her car to help.

She also remembered seeing Smith punch the victim several times in the face in order to free himself from the struggle, the court heard.

Hyde quickly recognised her cousin, whom she admits to knowing for around 27 years. "I recall him (Smith) punching Mr. Connelly in his face and he was holding onto part of Paul's clothing," she stated.

She further testified to having urged Smith to "just leave the man alone", but added he replied, "I don't have him sister, he's holding me."

Hyde — who was in tears at times during her testimony — told of an unknown "white guy" who appeared on a motorcycle and began to kick Smith repeatedly in an effort to aid the victim.

Eventually she spotted a wallet a few feet away on the ground, and told Mr. Connelly, who was bleeding from the face: "Your wallet is right there, let him go."

The court was told at that time Mr. Connelly released Smith, before he fled on foot. Within minutes, Police arrived at the scene. however, they were unable to find him.

The trial continues.