The man, now aged in his early 70s, pleaded guilty in the County Court to two charges of gross indecency with a person under 16 and two charges of indecent assault.

Earlier this year, a jury also found him guilty of a further five charges: one of indecent assault and four of gross indecency with a person under 16.

The victim was aged under 13 at the time of the abuse, which occurred when his uncle visited the boy's home in central Victoria.

The abuse was committed over a period of at least four weeks.

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Judge Christopher Ryan said the abuse was a "gross breach of trust", the man being the victim's uncle and offending against him in his own home.

In a victim impact statement, the victim spoke of the depression and anxiety he had suffered in the wake of the abuse.

He had struggled with friendships and maintaining relationships, dropped out of school, and turned to drugs.

"Your offending against your victim has had a profound and pertinent effect on him," Judge Ryan told the man.

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In sentencing, the judge referred to a psychological report and said the man was "very psychosexually immature" and had a low intellect, but did not have an intellectual disability.

Judge Ryan noted the man had no prior nor subsequent convictions, and there was no suggestion he had committed other, similar crimes.

He said the man was unlikely to offend again.

The judge determined such factors called for a wholly suspended term of imprisonment of 35 months.

The man will be a registered sex offender for life.

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