James Gargasoulas: Car rampage driver jailed for life after killing six in busy Melbourne street

A man who drove a stolen car into crowds in Melbourne and killed six people has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

James Gargasoulas, 29, showed little emotion when sentenced in Victoria state's Supreme Court on Friday.

The judge described the incident as "one of the worst examples of mass murder in Australian history".

Under the terms of his sentence, Gargasoulas will spend at least 46 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

In November, a jury found him guilty of the six murders and 27 counts of reckless conduct endangering life.

He was in a drug-induced psychosis in January 2017 when he killed six injured dozens more in the busy Bourke Street Mall.

His victims included a three-month-old baby who was thrown 20ft from his stroller and a 10-year-old girl.

"Your actions were both callous and cowardly," the judge said. "You have shown no genuine remorse."

The judge described in detail the events of the "terrifying rampage".

They noted each victim killed as well as those left with broken bones, head injuries, internal bleeding and other lasting damage.

"You left a trail of destruction," the judge said.

"The horror of what you did has profoundly impacted the lives of those who were present that day."

Crime Stoppers Victoria ambassador George Halvagis said he thinks Gargasoulas should die in jail.

"He should never, ever, get out of there," he told reporters after the sentencing.

Grieving relatives had earlier told the court of their pain.

The brother of Japanese victim Yosuke Kanno, 25, said he will continue suffering until he dies.

In a letter read to the court, Gargasoulas insisted he was not evil and blamed "government oppression" for the murders.

He also said he was the Messiah and was acting on the wishes of God on the day of the rampage, but was in a "bad headspace".

Gargasoulas has treatment-resistant paranoid schizophrenia but was found fit to stand trial. He pleaded not guilty.

He had been using drugs and committing crimes in the weeks before the attack and was on bail.

The judge said he was meant to face court on the day of the massacre.

Police had followed the stolen Holden Commodore for some of its journey into downtown Melbourne before the rampage.

"Your crimes have had a shattering effect on countless lives," Justice Weinberg said.

Gargasoulas will be eligible to apply for release in 2063, when he is 73.