The trio, who cannot be named because they are aged under 18-years-old, pleaded guilty and during the past couple of months have been confronted by their victims in a group conference program.

The court heard that it was rare for victims to be so open and direct with the youths.

A magistrate said the program had input from many victims and investigating police officers and the overall outcome had been quite encouraging.

She said the defendants had met with representatives from the RSL, who had explained the significance of stealing war memorabilia and service medals.

The magistrate said the young men now had a far better understanding of the devastating impact of their offending.

The offenders have written letters of apology to the victims and the plan is that there will be further consultation in about six months.

A solicitor said real steps had been taken and one of the defendants had received threats from his co-accused because of his willingness to participate so fully in the group conferencing program.

The trio have been in bail for the past six months and have not offended again.

A highly experienced juvenile justice worker said there was little more that could be done to help the offenders realise the impact of what they had been involved in.

The magistrate said the youths had participated well and hopefully there were life-long lessons learnt.

She said laptops had also been stolen and family photos lost forever and a year 12 student had her homework stolen, which could have had an enormous impact.

She said that some of the children and families who had been home when their properties were raided had lost their sense of security.

The leader of the gang of is now regarded as a prisoner of immigration interest and ​expected to be deported.

Last month he pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to 42 charges committed in April and May highlighted by eight aggravated burglaries and the theft of four cars.

The common theme in victim impact statements was that residents were left deeply traumatised and emotional wrecks after young men raided their homes while they slept.

The ringleader was convicted, jailed for seven months, fined $400, banned from driving for 12 months and placed on an 18-month community corrections order with conditions he do 150 hours of community work.

The magistrate said the home invasions had been an epidemic of offending.

The offending involved homes in Lockett Drive, Wangoom Road, Merri Street, Lindsay Street, Whites Road, Eddington Street, Sharp Avenue and Giffen Street. 

Vehicles stolen included a $45,000 BMW as well as a Ford Falcon, Holden Captiva, Suzuki, Nissan wagon and Mitsubishi Lancer.

​The Lancer was handed over to associates in Melbourne and used ​in ​a series of home invasions and another car was eventually retrieved from the Hopkins River.