Nearly two months after his arrest and the pope's butler has been moved from custody.

Paolo Gabriele, seated here in the front left of the 'Popemobile', is accused of leaking sensitive documents alleging corruption in the Vatican.

At a news conference, a Vatican spokesman said judges had decided to move Gabriele to house arrest.

He returned to an apartment where he lived before along with his family.

Gabriele's lawyer Carlo Fusco, says his client was driven by a desire to help the pope.

He also insists the butler acted alone.

SOUNDBITE: PAOLO GABRIELE'S LAWYER, CARLO FUSCO, SAYING (Italian):

"Another point I can add with absolute certainty is that there was no network or plot either inside or outside the Vatican that involved Paolo."

Gabriele is being investigated for aggravated theft.

If found guilty he faces up to six years in jail.

Sarah Charlton, Reuters.