An Adelaide man charged over stabbing two strangers in Rundle Mall over the weekend was under the influence of an unknown substance at the time, a court has heard.
James Hamilton King, 35, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated intentionally causing harm with an offensive weapon over the stabbing at about 2:45am Saturday.
It was alleged he stabbed two men, both aged 21, after exchanging words with them as they walked east along Rundle Mall towards Pulteney Street.
One of the victims remains in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition after sustaining 10 centimetre stab wounds to his neck and stomach.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard King was not known to the victims and that on the prosecution's case, it was a "totally unprovoked and unlawful attack".
It was alleged he stabbed one of the men after they saw him jumping on outdoor furniture in Rundle Mall and stabbed the other when he came to his friend's aid.
King was arrested in Klemzig on Sunday.
During a bail application hearing, the prosecution said King was under the influence of an unknown substance at the time and remains in hospital.
King bought fast food after alleged stabbing
The court heard the stabbing was captured on security cameras, which also showed King buying food at Hungry Jacks less than half an hour later.
It heard a knife, located by police on top of a bin in Grenfell Street, is consistent with the injuries the victims sustained.
King's defence lawyer argued his client should be granted bail, telling the court the full circumstances of the alleged offending were not yet clear and that he had "no propensity of violence".
Magistrate Paul Foley refused to grant bail and adjourned the matter until September.
"The defendant is a risk to the community generally," he said.
