After almost two hours of deliberation, a jury on Friday was unable to decide whether a 51-year-old man raped a 78-year-old woman in 2021.

However, the nine-member jury convicted Charles Lightbourne of burglary and causing harm to the senior citizen.

Prosecutors alleged that after 11 p.m., on May 6, 2021, the woman was about to retire to bed when she was accosted by Lightbourne, who had entered her house through a window.

Prosecutors further alleged that Lightbourne slammed the woman's head into the wall before he dragged her into her bedroom, where he violated her.

The woman said that after the sexual assault, Lightbourne threatened to burn down her home if she reported the matter.

Lightbourne, a farmer, exercised his constitutional right to remain silent during the trial and called no witnesses in his defense.

The jury accepted that Lightbourne burgled the woman's home - which is located on a Family Island - and viciously beat her; however, the jury could not reach a verdict on the rape charge.

The prosecution will decide whether Lightbourne will face a second trial for the rape.

The jury convicted Lightbourne of burglary and causing harm by a count of 7-2.

Lightbourne, who has been on remand since May 13, 2021, returns to court on September 7 for the penalty phase of his trial.

Justice Renae McKay presided over the trial.

Public Defenders Dorsey McPhee and Danielle Kemp represented Lightbourne.

Terry Archer and Xandrell Bain were the prosecutors.

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