Adam Scott Simmons of Castlemaine, Anthony John Edwards of Carisbrook and Simon Paul Walsh of Alfredton pleaded guilty in August to the theft of goods worth thousands of dollars from the home. 

Bendigo Count Court heard the burglary occurred after the trio went to reclaim items believed stolen from one of the men's associates and stole other items from the home.

Today, Judge Mark Dean condemned the offending as serious, indefensible and cowardly.

"Offending of this nature is increasingly prevalent. Your conduct must be denounced by this court and you must be punished for what you have done," he said.

But he said each man would be sentenced proportionate to his involvement in the incident.

The court was told Walsh, 36, had prior convictions for aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, and drug offences.

It also heard he had breached parole conditions after being released from a jail term imposed over a fatal car crash.

Judge Dean said while Walsh had poor prospects of rehabilitation, the future was brighter for his co-offenders.

He said Edwards, a 35-year-old father-of-one, had a limited criminal history and had good family support.

He said Simmons, 34, was a first-time offender with very good prospects of rehabilitation and said both had demonstrated genuine remorse.

Judge Dean jailed Walsh for three years with a two-year non-parole period on charges of theft, burglary and possessing a drug of dependence.

He sentenced Edwards to a 15-month jail term for theft and attempted burglary, wholly suspended it for two years, and fined him $1500 for drug possession.

Simmons was convicted on one count of theft and received a two-year good behaviour bond