A Paris court convicted a former French senator on Tuesday for spiking a fellow lawmaker’s drink with ecstasy, intending to sexually assault her. Joel Guerriau, 68, who resigned as a senator in October 2025, was found guilty of administering the drug to lawmaker Sandrine Josso without her consent. The defense’s claim that the drug was given inadvertently was rejected by the court. Guerriau was also found guilty of ecstasy possession and use.
The case drew attention in France following the 2024 conviction of Dominique Pelicot for drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle, and allowing others to assault her while she was unconscious. This trial raised global awareness about drug-facilitated assaults.
Due to the severity of the crimes and the high dose of ecstasy given to Josso without her knowledge, the court sentenced Guerriau to four years in prison, with two-and-a-half years suspended. He was granted a deferred detention order pending his appeal.
Guerriau’s lawyer stated his intention to appeal, emphasizing that his client denies any intent to assault Josso. The court based its decision on various factors, including Guerriau’s insistence on Josso consuming the spiked drink, his suspicious behavior, and internet searches related to drugs and sexual assault.
Josso reported feeling unwell after consuming champagne offered by Guerriau at his apartment to celebrate an electoral victory. She expressed certainty that Guerriau would have assaulted her if she hadn’t left the flat.