A judge described Alesha MacPhail's killer as a "cold, callous, calculating and remorseless individual" as he sentenced the teenager to a minimum of 27 years behind bars.
Lord Judge Matthews told 16-year-old Aaron Campbell he had shown "breathtaking arrogance" during the trial as he failed to plead guilty despite overwhelming evidence against him.
He said it would be for others to decide if Campbell would ever be released.
As teenager killer finally confessed to the abduction, rape and murder of the six-year-old - despite denying any involvement and attempting to blame the girlfriend of Alesha's father for the schoolgirl's death - horrific details emerged about what Campbell told social workers and psychologists.
Read more: Alesha MacPhail murder: Teenager killer jailed for at least 27 years
The court heard how Alesha asked Campbell "where she was going" as he carried her to her death.
He told the girl he was "her dad's friend" and he was "taking her home".
Judge Matthews also told how the teenager said it "took everything to stop him laughing" during the trial.
It was also heard how Campbell was “mildly amused” that police had not arrested him days after the murder.
Alesha's mother screamed expletives at the emotionless teenager as he was led from the court room.
Prosecutor Iain McSporran QC referred to a victim impact statement from Alesha's paternal grandparents Angela King and Calum MacPhail.
He said: "They are utterly devastated and heartbroken. She was a beautiful, kind and thoughtful child who they miss every day.
"They are tortured and tormented by the circumstances of her murder. I think overwhelmed is an understatement.
"They do not see how they can live a normal life. Her future was taken and so was theirs."
Alesha MacPhail's body was found in woods on the Isle of Bute on July 2 last year, hours after she was reported missing from the house her father shared with his parents and partner on the island, where the schoolgirl was staying for part of the summer holidays.
Campbell was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow last month where a jury found him guilty unanimously, following a nine-day trial.
He could not be identified during the trial due to his age but following his conviction judge Lord Matthews lifted a ban on revealing his identity.
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