Section 239.   Court may alter charge.

(1) Any Court may alter or add to any charge at any time before judgment is
pronounced.
(2) Every such alteration or addition shall be read and explained to the accused.
(3) If the alteration or addition to a charge is such that proceeding immediately with
the trial is not likely, in the opinion of the Court, to prejudice the accused in his defence or
the prosecutor in the conduct of the case, the Court may, in its discretion, after such
alteration or addition has been made, proceed with the trial as if the altered or added charge
had been the original charge.
(4) If the alteration or addition is such that proceeding immediately with the trial is
likely, in the opinion of the Court, to prejudice the accused or the prosecutor as aforesaid,
the Court may either direct a new trial or adjourn the trial for such period as may be necessary.
(5) If the offence stated in the altered or added charge is one for the prosecution of
which previous sanction is necessary, the case shall not be proceeded with until such
sanction is obtained, unless sanction has been already obtained for a prosecution on the
same facts as those on which the altered or added charge is founded.