THE real victims of an armed robbery in Four Marks saw the final sentencing last month of a fourth gang member at Winchester Crown Court.
But relatives say theirs is a life sentence - and one they don't deserve.
Furthermore, they are calling for a change to the law which, they believe, seeks to protect the accused over and above the victims, for more speed in bringing cases such as this to court, and for more backup for the police, for whom they have nothing but praise.
The nightmare began on January 16, 2000. They were watching the nine o'clock news when the phone rang. It was their son-in-law who told them that he and their daughter had been abducted at gunpoint from their home in the Southview Rise area of Alton and were currently at their premises of work.
The couple jumped into their car and drove to the factory. "When we got there our daughter was hyperventilating, " recalls the mother. "Not surprising when you hear what they had both been through."
The young Alton couple, who both worked for SPD Limited on the Mansfield industrial estate at Station Approach, Four Marks, had arrived home that evening to find they had no lighting. They thought it was a fuse but on walking into the kitchen the husband discovered the freezer light was on. Shortly after, his wife screamed and he found himself confronted by a man holding a sawn-off shotgun.
They were ordered to lie down on the kitchen floor where they were both tied up and left face down.
Initially the couple thought they had walked in on a burglary but revised that idea when the intruders began questioning them about their place of work. The husband, a shipping manager, was a key holder at SPD.
It appeared there was walkie-talkie contact with someone watching the premises in Four Marks and once the all-clear was given, the couple had cushion covers put over their heads and were taken by van to the factory.
During that time they were threatened by the "thugs" who said that should they give too much information to the police, they knew where they lived.
On arrival, the son-in-law was ordered to tap in the security code access the premises. His wife was also taken into the building where she was forced to lay face down on the floor of the factory.
Both continue to suffer from the effects over-tight binding of the wrists which cut off the circulation. The man received knife wounds to his hands when he complained, and his ties were cut.
They were told not to contact the police for at least half an hour, which was why the parents received the first phone call and were first on the scene.
Meanwhile, the robbers had made off with £100,000 worth of computer equipment.
For the traumatised couple, the rest of the night was spent answering questions as they had to be eliminated from police inquiries. The man arrived back at his in-laws' home in the early hours of the morning, dressed only in a paper suit and disposable shoes.
"Every piece of clothing was bagged for forensics. We have never seen any of that clothing since. As I helped my daughter out of the clothes she was wearing and placed them into paper bags, I felt it was almost like a rape inquiry," said the mother . However, she adds:
"I have to say that the police have been nothing but supportive throughout."
The family were relieved when they were told that the gang of four were in police custody, but the delays bringing them to trial were difficult to endure.
"I can't recall all the dates for trial that were given and then cancelled at the last minute for one reason or other. Because of some stupid written law, the main villain was then released on bail. Can you imagine the trauma that that caused?"
The mother recalls sitting in Winchester Crown Court on one occasion when it was revealed that the accused had rung the court to say there were "leaves on the line" and his train had been held up.
"Eventually, at midday a warrant was issued for his arrest. He had jumped bail. The police had tried so hard to oppose bail and what they suspected would happen actually did.
In fact, both gunmen jumped bail. Fortunately they were both arrested soon after.
"What is wrong with the law in this country, that the powers that be cannot see the stupidity of some of them? Why is it so difficult to change them?"
Only two of the robbers have subsequently been tried and convicted. In October 2001, the main gunman, Mark James Baker (37) of Seymour Road, Chalvey, Slough, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court to 15 years' imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
On May 27 this year, Bradley Johnson (34) of Norfolk Close, Twickenham, was also sentenced at Winchester to 15 years' imprisonment for robbery and carrying an imitation fire arm.
Two other men were arrested with conspiracy to rob and for committing armed robbery but there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
This week the victims were informed that the two gunmen could be released by the year 2005, should their behaviour be exemplary.
"What is the legal system in the country all about? We are not talking about a first offender who would possibly learn a lesson from a short, sharp shock. These are hardened criminals," point out the in-laws.
"Our daughter and son-in-law have lived with the pending trials for almost two and a half years.
"Can you imagine the strain they have been under? Can you imagine how they feel when there is a power cut?
"Can you imagine every time you walk though your front door this whole episode crossing your mind?
"The robbers got 15 years a piece - my family will have to live with it for the rest of their lives."