Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Former French Senator Trial for Alleged Assault
A former French senator named Joel Guerriau is on trial.
He is accused of putting a drug called ecstasy in a lawmaker's drink to make her unable to resist him.
The lawmaker, Sandrine Josso, felt sick after drinking the champagne and left quickly.
Tests later found ecstasy in her blood and in Guerriau's apartment.
If he is found guilty, he could go to jail for up to five years.
This case is important because it comes after another famous case in France where a man was convicted of drugging and assaulting his wife.
The French parliament recently changed the law to make it clearer what consent means in cases like these.
Former French senator Joel Guerriau is on trial for allegedly drugging lawmaker Sandrine Josso's drink with ecstasy to sexually assault her.
Josso reported feeling unwell after drinking champagne offered by Guerriau and left his apartment, believing he intended to assault her.
Toxicology tests confirmed traces of ecstasy in Josso's blood and in Guerriau's apartment.
Guerriau faces up to five years in jail and a fine of 75,000 euros if found guilty.
The trial is taking place amidst heightened awareness of drug-facilitated sexual assaults in France, following the 2024 conviction of Dominique Pelicot for similar crimes.
- Who
- Joel Guerriau, a former French senator, and Sandrine Josso, a lawmaker
- What
- Guerriau is accused of drugging Josso's drink with ecstasy to sexually assault her
- When
- The trial began on Monday and will run until Tuesday
- Where
- The trial is taking place in France
- Why
- Guerriau allegedly wanted to 'satisfy an urge' and assault Josso
- Defendant
- Joel Guerriau
- Victim
- Sandrine Josso
- Charges
- Drugging and attempted sexual assault
- Substance Involved
- Ecstasy
- Potential Sentence
- Up to 5 years in jail and 75,000 euros fine
- Party Affiliation
- Horizons (part of Macron's alliance)
- Trial Duration
- Monday to Tuesday