Duke of Marlborough will plead not guilty to strangling estranged wife
The Duke of Marlborough has indicated he will plead not guilty to strangling his estranged wife Edla Marlborough.
Charles James Spencer-Churchill, a relative of Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Diana, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court today.
The Duke, who gave his address as Blenheim Palace, is alleged to have stranged Ms Marlborough on three separate occasions, including once after an argument in their garden, the court heard.
He is accused of striking Ms Marlborough several times before putting his hands around her neck on November 13, 2022.
On the second alleged occasion, the court was told Ms Marlborugh ran into a laundry room before the defendant is alleged to have grabbed her, hit her with a closed fist and strangled her on April 23, 2023.
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The final allegation is that the duke pushed Ms Marlborough on the bed and assaulted her after putting his hands tightly around her neck on January 29, 2024.
The three charges of non-fatal intentional strangulation are all alleged to have taken place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Spencer-Churchill appeared in the dock on Monday wearing a navy suit, white shirt and blue tie and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and his indicated not guilty pleas.
The 70-year-old was granted conditional bail by chief magistrate Paul Goldspring.
He will appear at Oxford Crown Court on February 5, where he will be asked to formally enter pleas to the charges.
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