French former senator found guilty of drugging MP with intent to sexually assault her

The Guardian - World News Legal & JudicialNews ReportEN 3 min read 100% complete by Agence France-PresseJanuary 28, 2026 at 01:02 AM

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French former senator found guilty of drugging MP with intent to sexually assault her

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medium article 3 min

Former French senator Joël Guerriau was found guilty by a French court of drugging National Assembly MP Sandrine Josso with ecstasy in November 2023 with the intent to sexually assault her. Guerriau was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months to be served behind bars. Josso reported feeling unwell after drinking champagne at Guerriau's apartment and a toxicology report confirmed the presence of ecstasy in her blood. Guerriau claimed the drugging was accidental, stating he had intended to use the ecstasy for a panic attack but did not. He has resigned from the senate and was expelled from his political party and plans to appeal the verdict.

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Human Interest

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

Guerriau, who served as a senator from 2011 to 2025, had voted for the law creating the offence of administering a harmful substance with intent to commit rape or sexual assault.

factual — Benjamin Coulon100% confidence

Guerriau said he had poured the powdered ecstasy into a glass the day prior to their celebration to help calm a panic attack.

quote — Guerriau100% confidence

A toxicology report revealed a high dose of the drug in her blood.

factual100% confidence

National Assembly MP Sandrine Josso said shortly after Tuesday’s verdict that it was a “huge relief”.

quote — Sandrine Josso100% confidence

Joël Guerriau, 68, was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday, of which 18 months must be behind bars.

factual100% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Horizons 30% National Assembly 40% Dominique Pelicot 50% Paris ×260% France 70% Sandrine Josso ×980% Joël Guerriau ×790%

Keywords

drugging 90% sexual assault 80% joel guerriau 80% ecstasy 70% former senator 70% prison sentence 60% sandrine josso 60% mp 60% toxicology report 50% court 50%