§ 241 — Compounding offences

241.—(1) An offence specified in the third column of the Fourth Schedule may be compounded at any time by the person specified in the fourth column of that Schedule or, if that person is suffering from a legal or mental disability, by any person competent to act on the firstmentioned person’s behalf.(2) Despite subsection (1), where investigations have commenced for an offence specified in the third column of the Fourth Schedule, or when the accused has been charged in court for the offence, the offence may only be compounded with the consent of the Public Prosecutor on such conditions as the Public Prosecutor may impose.

(3) Where any offence is compoundable under this section, the abetment of or a conspiracy to commit the offence, or an attempt to commit the offence when the attempt is itself an offence, may be compounded in like manner.

(4) Where investigations have commenced for an offence which is subsequently compounded under subsection (2), no further proceedings are to be taken against the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence.

(5) Where after the accused has been charged in court, the offence is compounded under subsection (2), the court must order a discharge amounting to an acquittal in respect of the accused.

—(1) An offence specified in the third column of the Fourth Schedule may be compounded at any time by the person specified in the fourth column of that Schedule or, if that person is suffering from a legal or mental disability, by any person competent to act on the firstmentioned person’s behalf.

(2) Despite subsection (1), where investigations have commenced for an offence specified in the third column of the Fourth Schedule, or when the accused has been charged in court for the offence, the offence may only be compounded with the consent of the Public Prosecutor on such conditions as the Public Prosecutor may impose.

(3) Where any offence is compoundable under this section, the abetment of or a conspiracy to commit the offence, or an attempt to commit the offence when the attempt is itself an offence, may be compounded in like manner.

(4) Where investigations have commenced for an offence which is subsequently compounded under subsection (2), no further proceedings are to be taken against the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence.

(5) Where after the accused has been charged in court, the offence is compounded under subsection (2), the court must order a discharge amounting to an acquittal in respect of the accused.