A 27-year-old man was remanded for five days by Paphos district court on Saturday over allegations that he robbed a church, stealing €200 and a cross.

The suspect appears to have admitted to the robberies and helped relocate the stolen items, after being arrested for also holding a knife.

The court issued its detention order after it heard that a member of the public identified the suspect near the church and prevented his escape.

Officers soon arrived at the scene, just after 3pm on Friday, and checked his backpack – in which they found various electronic goods which are believed to have been stolen.