Man jailed for campaign of violence and abuse

A man who subjected a woman to a catalogue of violent, controlling and sexual abuse has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Christian Schonenberger, 22, abused his victim at various locations in the Dundee area over a 12-month period.

He was found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in September.

He also admitted repeatedly punching, kicking and stamping on two XL Bully dogs as well as hitting them with various objects, including pots and pans.

A court was told Schonenberger isolated the victim from her friends and family, prevented her from seeking employment, and demanded to know her whereabouts.

He prevented the woman from using social media to communicate with others and persistently contacted her by text and telephone calls.

Schonenberger subjected the woman to repeated physical assaults which included seizing her by the neck, choking her and causing her to lose consciousness, to her injury and to the danger of her life.

He also struck her repeatedly on the head and body with a metal pole, prevented her from leaving the flat, detained her against her will, and repeatedly struck her with knives, to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Schonenberger then prevented her from seeking medical assistance for those injuries.

He then continued to control and abuse the woman from prison.

He also told her not to attend court and tried to persuade her to withdraw the allegations she had made to the police about him.

The court heard that on one occasion, when the victim tried to leave him, he sent her a video where he repeatedly kicked and punched the dogs.

Schonenberger was given an extended seven-and-a-half year sentence with four-and-a-half years in custody.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

A non-harassment order, banning Schonenberger from contact or attempting to contact the victim, was granted for an indefinite period.

He was also banned from owning or keeping animals for 10 years.