Paul Lemar Smith, 31, of Ord Road, Paget, was yesterday convicted of the brutal mugging of a tourist last year. American Ronald Storms, 69, received many well wishes from locals after he was brutally attacked outside the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel while using a payphone.

His attacker pounced on him and repeatedly banged Mr. Storms' head against the sidewalk, before making off with the senior's wallet. Mr. Storms was knocked unconscious and received serious facial injuries as a result of the incident. Smith was also convicted of stealing and attempted stealing in connection to the incident but he was acquitted of assaulting Mark Mello, a Newstead Hotel security guard.

The Newstead attack happened hours after the attack on Mr. Storms last October. Mr. Mello also sustained serious injuries as a result of being attacked. Smith was also acquitted of the attempted robbery of local resident James Conagham on the same evening as the attack on Mr. Storms. Defence lawyer Larry Mussenden suggested that the area was not well lit at the time of the attack and questioned whether Mr. Storms had gotten a good view of Smith.

Smith was the sole defence witness called by Mr. Mussenden. After Smith's conviction by Acting Magistrate Justin Williams, Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said that the crimes were serious enough to warrant sentencing by the Supreme Court.

Smith was remanded in custody until sentencing.