Former French Senator Convicted of Drugging a Colleague, Intending to Assault Her

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Ségolène Le StradicJanuary 27, 2026 at 11:05 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Former French Senator Joël Guerriau was convicted on Tuesday in Paris of drugging National Assembly member Sandrine Josso with ecstasy with the intent to sexually assault her. The court found that Josso consumed a high dose of ecstasy, impairing her judgment and control. Guerriau received a four-year jail sentence, with 30 months suspended, a five-year electoral ban, and was ordered to pay Josso 9,000 euros in damages. The court rejected Guerriau's claim that the drugging was inadvertent. Guerriau, who resigned from his senate position in October 2025, will appeal the verdict. The case has resonated in France amid ongoing debates about rape culture and drug-facilitated sexual abuse.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Gisèle Pelicot 40% National Assembly 40% Dominique Pelicot 50% France ×280% Sandrine Josso ×690% Joël Guerriau ×995%

Keywords

sexual assault 90% drugging 90% joël guerriau 80% sandrine josso 70% ecstasy 70% french senator 60% court verdict 60% criminal trial 50% rape culture 50%