Man Imprisoned for Campaign of Violence and Abuse

An individual who subjected a woman to a series of violent, controlling, and sexual abuses has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Christian Schonenberger, 22, perpetrated these abuses against his victim at various locations within the Dundee area over a 12-month period. He was found guilty after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in September. He also confessed to repeatedly punching, kicking, and stamping on two XL Bully dogs, as well as striking them with various objects, including pots and pans. A court was informed that Schonenberger isolated the victim from her friends and family, prevented her from seeking employment, and demanded to know her whereabouts. He prohibited the woman from using social media to communicate with others and persistently contacted her through text messages 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, resulting in injury and endangering her life. He also struck her repeatedly on the head and body with a metal pole, prevented her from leaving the flat, held her against her will, and repeatedly struck her with knives, leading to severe injury and permanent disfigurement. Schonenberger then prevented her from obtaining medical assistance for these injuries. He subsequently continued to control and abuse the woman from prison. He also instructed her not to attend court and attempted to persuade her to retract the allegations she had made to the police about him. The court heard that on one occasion, when the victim attempted to leave him, he sent her a video in which he repeatedly kicked and punched the dogs. Schonenberger received an extended sentence of seven-and-a-half years, with four-and-a-half years to be served in custody. His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. A non-harassment order, prohibiting Schonenberger from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was issued for an indefinite period. He was also banned from owning or keeping animals for 10 years. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024. All rights are reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Details concerning our policy on external links are available.