Shocking Case: Former French Senator Convicted of Drugging MP

Tue Feb 03 2026 15:54:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a disturbing incident, former French senator Joel Guerriau has been sentenced for drugging an MP in a bid to commit sexual assault. The case raises significant concerns about drug-facilitated crimes.

Joel Guerriau, a 68-year-old former senator in France, has been sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months to be served, after being found guilty of drugging MP Sandrine Josso. Based on his claims, he invited Josso to his home and unknowingly served her a drink spiked with ecstasy. Following the event, Josso experienced severe effects and later sought medical help. The conviction highlights the critical issue of drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Josso has since become an advocate against such crimes, sharing her harrowing experience with the public.

A former French senator has been found guilty of spiking an MP's drink with ecstasy in order to sexually assault her.

Joel Guerriau received a four-year prison sentence - 18 months of which are to be served behind bars - and was ordered to pay Sandrine Josso €5,000 (£4,348) in damages for emotional distress.

Guerriau, now 68, had invited Josso, 50, to his Paris flat in November 2023, and later admitted serving her a drink laced with MDMA, but claimed it was an accident, denying any intention to assault her.

Shortly after the verdict on Tuesday, Josso expressed her relief, while Guerriau's lawyers announced plans to appeal.

According to court documents, Josso visited Guerriau's home three years ago to celebrate his re-election when she began feeling unwell after drinking champagne. She felt threatened and managed to escape, later confirming through a toxicology report that her blood contained three times the recreational dose of MDMA.

Guerriau, a centre-right senator from the Horizons party, stated he was going through a period of depression and accidentally offered Josso the drugged drink after intending to take it himself the night before.

Josso has since become an advocate against drug-facilitated sexual assaults, emphasizing her psychological trauma and commitment to fighting against such crimes.