A 25-year-old man, who allegedly attempted to steal money from the offering box at the Ayios Ambrosios church in the village of Pachna, has been hospitalised at the Limassol general hospital after hitting his head on a stool during his attempt to escape.

According to a statement released by the Limassol CID, the man broke into the church on Monday night, but, while he was trying to force the offering box open, he was spotted by two people who restrained him.

However, in his attempt to flee, the 25-year-old slipped and hit his head.

The man is out of danger but remains under arrest at the hospital. He admitted to the police that he had already broken into the church on two previous occasions, specifically on May 13 and 20.

Despite saying he did not steal anything on all three occasions, the man is accused of stealing a total of €1,400.

He will have to answer to accusations of burglary and theft at a date yet to be announced.