Former French Senator Convicted of Spiking Female MP’s Drink in Attempted Sexual Assault Case
The conviction of a former French senator has sent shockwaves through France’s political and social landscape, reigniting urgent conversations about drug-facilitated sexual assault, often referred to as chemical submission. The case, which involves the spiking of a female MP’s drink, highlights how power, trust, and abuse can dangerously intersect—even at the highest levels of public office.
Joël Guerriau, 68, a former centre-right senator, was found guilty of spiking the drink of a female MP with ecstasy in what prosecutors described as an attempted sexual assault. A French court sentenced him to four years in prison, with 18 months to be served in custody, and ordered him to pay €5,000 in damages for emotional distress. Despite the ruling, Guerriau’s legal team has confirmed plans to appeal.
The incident occurred in November 2023, when Sandrine Josso, a sitting member of parliament, visited Guerriau’s Paris apartment to celebrate his re-election. According to Josso, she began feeling suddenly unwell after drinking champagne he had served. “I had gone to visit a friend and I discovered an aggressor,” she told the court—words that have since resonated widely across France.
Medical tests later confirmed that Josso had three times the recreational dose of MDMA in her system, confirming suspicions of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Fearful of appearing vulnerable and potentially placing herself in further danger, she managed to leave the apartment and was taken to hospital by a colleague.
In court, Guerriau admitted to serving the spiked drink but claimed it was accidental. He argued that he had intended to take the drug himself on a previous night while struggling with depression and mistakenly served it to Josso the next day. “I am disgusted with myself,” he said, denying any intention of sexual assault. Prosecutors, however, pointed to his internet searches on ecstasy and GHB—substances commonly linked to chemical submission.
The former French senator was suspended from the Horizons party following the allegations and resigned from the Senate in October last year. Meanwhile, Josso described the guilty verdict as a “huge relief,” noting that the psychological trauma remains deeply painful. “Psychological trauma feels like being frozen in time,” she said.
Since the incident, Josso has become a leading voice against chemical submission and drug-facilitated sexual assault, joining advocacy efforts alongside campaigners such as Caroline Darian, whose family has been affected by a similar high-profile case. Their presence at the trial underscored growing public demand for accountability, especially when alleged perpetrators hold positions of power.
The conviction of a former French senator for spiking a female MP’s drink marks a significant moment in France’s legal and cultural reckoning with sexual violence. Beyond the courtroom, the case serves as a stark reminder that safeguarding women—and confronting abuse—must extend into every institution, including politics.