> At a Glance
> – Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 70, pleaded not guilty to three counts of intentional strangulation
> – Alleged attacks on estranged wife Edla occurred between November 2022 and January 2024
> – Duke listed Blenheim Palace as his address and will next appear at Oxford Crown Court on Feb. 5
> – Why it matters: The case spotlights domestic-abuse allegations inside one of Britain’s most storied aristocratic families
A distant relative of Princess Diana and heir to Winston Churchill’s family title has denied strangling his wife on three separate occasions, a court heard.
The Charges
Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on January 5 where he indicated not-guilty pleas.
The 70-year-old aristocrat is accused of:
- 13 Nov 2022: Striking Edla several times, then squeezing her neck after a garden argument
- 23 Apr 2023: Grabbing her hair, punching her and throttling her inside a laundry room
- 29 Jan 2024: Seizing her “tightly around the neck” before throwing her onto a bed
| Incident Date | Location | Alleged Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov 2022 | Garden | Strikes, neck squeeze |
| 23 Apr 2023 | Laundry room | Hair pull, punch, strangulation |
| 29 Jan 2024 | Bedroom | Neck grab, throw to bed |
Background & Next Steps
Spencer-Churchill married Welsh ceramicist Edla Griffiths in 2002; the couple separated in 2024 and share two teenage children.
He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear at Oxford Crown Court on February 5.
Key Takeaways
- Duke faces three counts of intentional strangulation spanning 18 months
- Each alleged assault followed a domestic argument, according to prosecutors
- Not-guilty pleas set the stage for a high-profile trial in Oxford
The proceedings will unfold amid renewed scrutiny of Britain’s aristocracy and domestic-violence laws.
