A Warren County man convicted by a jury of beating an older woman and stealing from her was sentenced to 60 years to serve Friday.

Bryan Morton, 34, 4700 Bernard Drive, was sentenced to 30 years for attempted murder and 30 years for armed robbery to be served consecutively plus a concurrent sentence of 20 years for burglary of a dwelling. Morton was found guilty in March of the three counts.

“It was a reasonable sentence based on the facts of the case,” District Attorney Ricky Smith said adding he was pleased with the sentence given by Circuit Court Judge Isadore Patrick.

Smith called it a “day for day” sentence meaning Morton won’t be eligible for parole. The Mississippi Department of Corrections, he said, classifies attempted murder and armed robbery as charges where the sentence has to be served completely.

Smith said he thought the victim, Charlie Arnold, was comforted to know her attacker would be in jail for some time. He said he was proud to give the Arnold family piece of mind, and he knew the family was pleased with the sentence as well.

“She appeared to be relieved Morton would never be out of jail to terrorize her again,” Smith said.

Smith noted the recent number of young people attacking senior citizens and said he hopes this case will stand as an example and send a message.

“Neither the court nor the district attorney’s office will tolerate anyone targeting senior citizens,” Smith said.

Morton and Kimberly Chapman are accused of breaking into a residence on the 3600 block of Warriors Trial late one night in May 2014 and taking money, a wedding ring and a purse, Smith said.

Things changed when Arnold, the resident awake in her home, realized someone was there and recognized Chapman, Smith said. At that point the duo began to repeatedly beat Arnold in the head with a metal walking cane and a knife, he said.

“She suffered significant injuries and was left for dead,” Smith said.

During the trial Arnold’s husband testified she had to have 200 stitches in her head and went through over four months of intensive care and therapy. She still has a lingering issue with her sight, but for the most part is doing well now, Smith said.

“It’s a miracle she survived the trauma,” Smith said. “I feel confident she would not have survived had deputy [Jason] Bailess not found her when he did.”

When Bailess, who knew Arnold, saw Chapman in bloody clothing with Arnold’s identification the next day, he went to the Arnold home to check things out and found her beaten.

Morton was indicted with codefendant Chapman in October 2014. During the trial, Chapman testified against Morton. Judge Patrick severed the indictment, which means Chapman will have a separate trial if she doesn’t plead.

No plea offer has been made at this time.