Who is the Duke of Marlborough and what is he accused of?

The Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, is accused of three counts of non-fatal intentional strangulation between November 2022 and May 2024.

What is the connection between the Duke of Marlborough and Winston Churchill?

The Duke of Marlborough is a distant relative of Sir Winston Churchill, being a first cousin, three times removed.

Where did the alleged strangulation incidents involving the Duke of Marlborough take place?

The three alleged non-fatal intentional strangulation offenses took place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Home / Crime and Justice / Duke Charged with Strangulation Near Churchill's Birthplace

Duke Charged with Strangulation Near Churchill's Birthplace

17 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

Duke of Marlborough faces three strangulation charges between 2022 and 2024.
He is a relative of Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales.
The alleged incidents occurred in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, against the same person.

Duke Charged with Strangulation Near Churchill's Birthplace

Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough and a relative of Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, has been charged with three counts of non-fatal intentional strangulation. These alleged offenses took place between November 2022 and May 2024 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, against the same individual. The 70-year-old aristocrat, previously known as Jamie Blandford, is scheduled to appear at Oxford magistrates court.

Spencer-Churchill, who inherited his title in 2014, has a known history of drug addiction. His ancestral home is Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. However, the Duke does not own or manage the palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site operated by the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation.

A spokesperson for the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation stated they are aware of the legal proceedings but cannot comment on the charges, as they relate to the Duke's private conduct and are part of live criminal proceedings. The foundation emphasized its independent management structure.