A Victorian man who violated and strangled an 11-year-old girl after sneaking into her bedroom while at a party hosted by her mother has been jailed for life.

Bowe Evan Levi Maddigan, 31, told police he thought Zoe Buttigieg looked "angelic" and he wanted to have her all to himself before attacking her in her Wangaratta home on October 25 last year.

Bowe Maddigan has been sentenced to life for the murder of Zoe Buttigieg. Credit:James Wiltshire/Border Mail

He will be eligible for parole at the age of 59, after serving 28 years for murder and sexual assault.

Relatives, who had packed the court dressed in purple, burst into applause when the judge announced a life sentence would be imposed.