Christian Schonenberger was found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh on 9 September 2024.

The 22-year-old admitted a further charge of 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.

On one occasion, when the victim tried to leave him, he sent her a video where he repeatedly kicked and punched the dogs. The woman was abused at various locations in the Dundee area over a 12-month period.

Schonenberger isolated the victim from her friends and family, prevented her from seeking employment and demanded to know her whereabouts. The abuser prevented the victim from using social media to communicate with others and persistently contacted her by text and telephone calls.

He subjected the women 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.

On 12 November 2024, at the High Court in Edinburgh, Schonenberger was given an extended seven year and six-month 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 has also been banned from owning or keeping animals for 10 years.

Procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes, 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. I would urge any victims of similar offending to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to us to seek justice.”