A Senior Resident Magistrate Court sitting in Mzimba has convicted and sentenced 51 year old Finias Mlenje to 20 years jail term for defiling an underaged girl.

According to reports, Mlenje defiled the girl at Euthini in the district.

State Prosecutor, Henry Mkweche asked the Court to mete out a stiffer punishment as such cases are rampant in the district.

Senior Resident Magistrate, Mathews Msiska concurred with the state saying the sentence is meant as deterrent to others from committing a similar offence.