The 12th Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, is set to appear before a magistrate on serious criminal charges. The 70-year-old aristocrat, a relative of Sir Winston Churchill, faces three counts of non-fatal intentional strangulation.
Details of the Alleged Offences
Thames Valley Police confirmed the charges relate to three separate incidents alleged to have occurred between November 2022 and May 2024. All are said to have taken place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and involve the same alleged victim.
Spencer-Churchill, known to his family as Jamie, was arrested on May 13 last year and has now been summonsed to attend Oxford Magistrates’ Court this Thursday. The duke, who was formerly known as Jamie Blandford, inherited his title in 2014 following the death of his father.
A Prominent Figure with a Complex Past
The duke is a member of one of Britain's most prominent aristocratic families. He is a first cousin, three times removed, of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and is also distantly related to Diana, Princess of Wales, through the Spencer line.
His ancestral home is the world-famous Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. However, the duke does not own or manage the 18th-century palace. Control was secured by his late father through legal action in 1994, and the estate is now operated by the independent Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation.
A foundation spokesperson stated: “The foundation is aware legal proceedings have been brought against the Duke of Marlborough. The foundation is unable to comment on the charges, which relate to the duke’s personal conduct and private life.”
Legal Proceedings and Historical Context
The case brings renewed public attention to a figure who has previously been open about his long-standing battle with drug addiction. Spencer-Churchill was the Marquess of Blandford prior to inheriting the dukedom and has been married twice.
Despite the charges against its former resident, Blenheim Palace remains a central venue for state and cultural events. Notably, King Charles III hosted a reception for European leaders there in July 2024. The palace was also the scene of a notorious 2019 heist where a £4.75 million solid gold toilet was stolen.
The duke’s representatives have been approached for comment regarding the upcoming court appearance. The case is now subject to active criminal proceedings.
