A frozen foetus was among property stolen by a procession of thieves who ransacked a young couple's new home.

The family was gradually shifting from another part of New Plymouth into Banks St in Marfell when several burglars broke in and cleaned them out on November 16.

The distressing story was revealed in the New Plymouth District Court on Wednesday when the last of the thieves, Jamie Bill Kingi Awa and Kevin Baldwin, in their 20s, pleaded guilty to being part of the last assault, taking away the only remaining belongings left on the porch – a coffee table and four chairs.

The furniture had since been returned.

Judge Allan Roberts said he was seeing a large number of people coming through court charged with the burglary. He said the police summary made grim reading in that the burglars stole Christmas presents and items from the freezer causing intense hurt to the victims.

The summary reveals that the occupants were gradually moving into the house between October 14 and November 16.

The 12-week foetus of the couple's miscarried baby, which was stored in the freezer before being given a burial ceremony, had been stolen along with meat. The foetus has not been found.

Food, clothing, toys, photos, albums, certificates off the wall, trophies, kitchen appliances, weightlifting gear, tools, a washing machine, microwave and TV were stolen.

The property was taken by various people, distributed or sold throughout the Marfell community or used by the burglars as their own, the summary says.

Defence lawyer for Baldwin, Christine Sargeson, said he accepted his guilt in entering the unoccupied property after seeing other people in the neighbourhood helping themselves. He followed Awa for a "look see".

Baldwin was now trying to put some distance between former associates from Marfell, she said.

For Awa, Barry Henderson said he wished to express his remorse.

The judge accepted Awa and Baldwin were not there when more expensive items were moved out of the house.

Awa and Baldwin received 225 hours community work.