Right of prisoner in certain cases to be tried or bailed

(1) If any person who, on the first day of any sitting of the court, appears to be in actual custody awaiting his trial thereat, prays in open court, at any time during that sitting, to be then and there put upon his trial, the court may, before the termination of the sitting, either– (a) if the jurors have not been discharged, proceed to his trial; 20 (b) discharge him upon bail to appear at the next ensuing sitting of the court for the same district, and to answer any indictment which may then be preferred against him; or (c) remand him for trial at the next ensuing sitting of the court for the same district, or otherwise, as the court thinks fit. (2) If a prisoner, being in custody for the same offence during a second sitting of the court for the same district, at any time during that sitting, in open court, prays to be then and there put upon his trial, the court shall, before the termination of the sitting, either proceed to his trial or discharge him upon bail as aforesaid.