The Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, has made a court appearance to confront serious allegations involving controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife, alongside accusations of strangling her on three separate occasions, as detailed in a formal indictment.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Appearing before Judge Pringle KC at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, the 70-year-old duke, a distant relative of Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, faced five charges in total. He was not required to enter formal pleas during this hearing but has previously indicated not guilty pleas to the strangulation counts at a magistrates court last month.
The indictment specifies two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, alleged to have occurred between 29 December 2015 and 8 September 2024. Additionally, he is accused of three charges of intentional strangulation against Edla Marlborough, his 57-year-old second wife.
Details of the Alleged Incidents
According to court proceedings, the allegations stem from three specific incidents. On 13 November 2022, Spencer-Churchill is accused of striking Marlborough multiple times following an argument in their garden, before placing his hands around her neck.
A second incident on 23 April 2023 allegedly saw Marlborough run into a laundry room, after which the defendant, who provided his address as Blenheim Palace, is said to have grabbed her, hit her with a closed fist, and strangled her.
The final allegation dates to 29 January 2024, when the duke is accused of pushing Marlborough onto a bed and assaulting her after tightly gripping her neck.
Background and Bail Conditions
During the hearing, Spencer-Churchill spoke only to confirm his name and was granted conditional bail. A provisional trial date has been set for 10 January 2028, indicating the complexity and seriousness of the case.
Known familiarly as Jamie, Spencer-Churchill became the 12th Duke of Marlborough in 2014 upon the death of his father. He married Welsh ceramicist Edla Griffiths in 2002, and the couple have two children together. Reports indicate they separated earlier in 2024.
The case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of domestic abuse allegations within high-profile families, with the court proceedings set to continue as the trial date approaches.
