A man who sexually abused a Victorian primary school student until she became pregnant has been sentenced to 10 years' jail.

The Victorian County Court heard that the 31-year-old man met his victim through her family when she was eight years old.

All were from an ethnic minority group.

The man repeatedly abused the girl for three-and-a-half years, until she gave birth to a baby when she was 11 years old and in grade six at primary school.

The judge said the man had a distorted mind and on some level cared for the girl, believing they were in a relationship, which in his culture he thought was permissible.

But the judge said his conduct was disturbing and abhorrent to anyone with a shred of decency and told him the law applies to everyone, regardless of background.

The man was sentenced to a minimum seven years in jail for persistent sexual abuse and child stealing.