Christian Schonenberger: Violent Dundee abuser who preyed on woman and hurt XL bully dogs jailed

A man who subjected a woman to a catalogue of violent, controlling and sexual abuse – including referring to her as a “sex doll” – has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Christian Schonenberger, 22, preyed on his victim at various locations in the Dundee area over a 12-month period starting in September 2022.

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

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

The court heard Schonenberger isolated the woman from her family and friends, prevented her from seeking employment and demanded to know her whereabouts.

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

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Schonenberger subjected the women to repeated physical assaults which included seizing her by the neck, choking her and causing her to lose consciousness.

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

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

COPFS added that on one occasion when the woman tried to leave him, he sent her a video where he repeatedly kicked and punched the dogs.

Schonenberger, who was said to have referred to the woman as a “sex doll”, then tried to control the victim from prison by urging her not to attend court and attempting to persuade her to withdraw the criminal allegations.

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Schonenberger was handed a seven-and-a-half-year extended sentence when he returned to the dock on Tuesday, with four-and-a-half years in jail and three years on licence once released back into the community.

He was also added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely is prohibited from contacting his victim.

In addition, Schonenberger was also banned from owning or keeping animals for 10 years.

Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offending, said: “Christian Schonenberger is a dangerous individual who has inflicted unimaginable trauma to the victim through his depraved offending.

“During the course of his abuse, he also subjected these two dogs to horrific acts of violence in a bid to further coerce and control the victim as she tried to protect them.

“It is thanks to her bravery in coming forward and reporting him to the authorities that this prosecution has been possible.

“Behaviour such as this has no place in Scotland and Schonenberger will now face the consequences of his actions, which I hope brings some comfort.”