A man will stand trial accused of breaking into a mosque and stealing collection money.

At Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday Peter Griffiths denied being present at the town’s Islamic Centre, in Mote Road, when two men broke in through the female prayer entrance during the night in December and ripped three donation boxes from the wall.

During police interview the 49-year-old insisted he was not involved but said he occasionally would sleep in churches and mosques as they were often left open overnight.

Griffiths, who spoke only to confirm his details, deny the charges and compliment one magistrate on her outfit, also pleaded not guilty to the theft of nine Swarovski pens worth £239 from HM Samuel in Ashford last July, a £38 bottle of Moet from London Road’s Majectic Wines in October and of a woman’s bag from Maidstone's Café Nero in February.

Following the bag theft Griffiths, formerly of Quarry Road, Maidstone, but now living in Canterbury, was confronted by a PCSO who believed he had committed the offence and informed him a wedding ring was in the bag.

Ten minutes later it is claimed he phoned the officer and told him the ring would be found behind the wheel of a parked car in Wyke Manor Road.

He was later questioned and answered “no comment” to most questions but when quizzed about the ring replied: “It would be nasty to deprive a person of their wedding ring, wouldn’t it?”

He was released on unconditional bail and will stand trial for the offences in August and October.