A Bangladeshi student who stabbed her Melbourne homestay host in a terror act has been jailed for 42 years.

Momena Shoma admitted engaging in a terror act when she plunged a knife into Roger Singaravelu's neck while he dozed beside his five-year-old daughter at Mill Park on February 9, 2018.

Shoma, then 24, had been in Australia on a student visa for just a week when she attacked Mr Singaravelu in the name of violent jihad, using a 25cm kitchen knife.

View photos Momena Shoma attacked her homestay host in a terror attack in Melbourne. Source: AAP More

Justice Lesley Ann Taylor on Wednesday sentenced Shoma to 42 years' jail with a non-parole period of 31 years and six months, calling the crime “despicable” and “cowardly”.

“This Australian family, generous enough to open their home to a stranger, now suffers physically, emotionally and financially,” she said.

The young woman was enrolled in a masters of linguistics at La Trobe University, but had been looking to attack someone since arriving in Australia.

She told police she had practised the attack by stabbing a pillow while staying with a different family but chose to attack Mr Singaravelu because he was vulnerable.

View photos Momena Shoma pleaded guilty to engaging in a terrorist act. Source: AAP More

Her victim has previously told the Supreme Court he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the attack, took a cocktail of medication and used alcohol to try and forget what happened to him.

“I relive the attack, the look on her face and the blood splattered on the wall,” Mr Singaravelu said in a statement.

The man's daughter also suffered from PTSD, flashbacks and nightmares.

View photos Victim Roger Singaravelu was attacked by a 25cm kitchen knife. Source: AAP More

The diminutive Shoma, dressed in a black Niqab showing only her eyes, did not stand for the judge.

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