A paedophile will remain behind bars for at least 28 years over the senseless rape and murder of a little girl at Wangarratta.

Bowe Maddigan has been sentenced to life in prison for strangling 11-year-old Zoe Buttigieg in her bed during a house party in October last year.

Justice Lex Lasry based his decision on the 31-year-old’s prospects of rehabilitation against the right of the community to be protected.