A man who subjected a woman to a catalog 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, hunted his victim at various locations in the Dundee area over a 12-month period starting in September 2022.

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

He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to two bully dogs XL 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 looking for work and demanded to know her whereabouts.

He also prevented her from using social media to communicate with others and persistently contacted her through text messages and phone calls.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Schonenberger subjected the women to repeated physical attacks, which included grabbing her by the throat, choking her and knocking her unconscious.

He also hit her repeatedly in the head and body with a metal pole, prevented her from leaving an apartment, held her against her will and stabbed her repeatedly with knives.

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

COPFS added that on one occasion, when the woman tried to leave him, he sent her a video of her repeatedly kicking and punching the dogs.

Schonenberger, who was said to have referred to the woman as a “sex doll”, then tried to control the victim from jail, urging her not to appear in court and trying to get her to drop the criminal charges.

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Schonenberger received an extended sentence of seven and a half years when he returned to the dock on Tuesday, with four and a half years in prison and three years on license once he is released back into the community.

He was also added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, banned from contacting his victim.

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

Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for Scotland at the High Court for Sexual Offenses, said: “Christian Schonenberger is a dangerous individual who caused the victim unimaginable trauma through his depraved offending.

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

“It was because of her courage to come forward and report him to the authorities that this prosecution was possible.

“Such behavior does not happen in Scotland and Schonenberger will now face the consequences of his actions, which I hope will bring some comfort.”