A couple who were tied up and battered during a brutal robbery at their country home have got nearly all of their family heirlooms back.

Retired major Tom Williams and his wife Sarah lost antiques and personal jewellery worth more than £300,000 during the raid at Aldsworth House, near Chichester, in June 2006.

Mr Williams, 76, was told his fingernails would be pulled out with pliers unless he revealed where the keys to his safe were.

Christopher Doughty was jailed for 17 years for his part in the robbery after a trial at Hove Crown Court in February 2009.

His sentence was reduced by two years after he agreed to co-operate with police to return as much of the missing property as he could.

He feared police would use their powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize his family home in Holly Gardens, Southampton, if antiques stolen in the raid were not returned.

Most of the missing jewellery and heirlooms were returned after they were delivered to a firm of solicitors near the Williams' home last year.

Other valuables, including medals, swords and firearms awarded to the Williams family for military service since 1790, were recovered three days after the robbery.

Doughty, 49, was arrested by armed police as he delivered some of the goods to a flat in Grand Avenue, Hove.

Prosecutor Walton Hornsby told a confiscation hearing at Hove Crown Court yesterday that all but £70,000 of the Williams' property has now been returned.

He said: “A very substantial amount of the proceeds of the Aldsworth House robbery has been returned to Mr and Mrs Williams.”

The court was told that Doughty's only asset is a £40,000 interest in his family home in Southampton.

Judge Guy Anthony ordered that the sum should be confiscated from Doughty and paid as compensation to Mr and Mrs Williams.

Doughty will have to serve a further 18 months in prison if he does not pay up within six months.

Matthew Jewell, defending, said Doughty intends to pay back the money but not necessarily through the sale of the family home.

Judge Guy Anthony said it was “unusual but pleasing” that most of the property had been given back.

Mrs Williams, 70, said last night that she and her husband were delighted with the outcome.

She added: “After a five year investigation the police and Crown Prosecution Service have brought it to a satisfactory conclusion through sheer hard work and persistence.”