The Duke of Marlborough, a prominent aristocrat and relative of Sir Winston Churchill, has been formally charged with three serious offences of intentional strangulation.
Charges and Court Appearance
Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, is accused of three counts of non-fatal intentional strangulation. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred against the same individual between November 2022 and May 2024 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the charges, stating the 70-year-old duke was arrested on May 13 last year. He is scheduled to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court this Thursday to face the allegations.
A Notable Aristocratic Figure
Known to his family as Jamie, Spencer-Churchill is a member of one of Britain's most distinguished aristocratic families. He is a relative of both the late Princess Diana and former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
The Duke holds the title associated with the famed Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the palace is operated by an independent charitable trust.
Foundation Distances Itself
In response to the news, a spokesperson for the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation issued a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings.
The spokesperson emphasised: "The foundation is unable to comment on the charges, which relate to the duke’s personal conduct and private life, and which are subject to live, criminal proceedings."
The statement clarified that the foundation is not owned or managed by the Duke of Marlborough, but by independent entities run by boards of trustees. This separation aims to distinguish the historic estate from the personal legal matters of its titular head.
This remains a developing story, and further updates are expected as the case progresses through the judicial system. The charges represent a significant legal development involving a high-profile member of the British aristocracy.
