28.01.2026 16:56
The sentence of former senator Joel Guerriau, who is being tried for allegedly drugging a drink of a member of parliament with the intent to commit sexual assault, has been announced. The court sentenced the former senator to 4 years in prison, with 2.5 years suspended.
France has once again come to the forefront with a case similar to the Pelicot Case, which caused a great stir in the country. Former French senator Joel Guerriau (68) appeared before a judge on charges of acting with the intent of sexual assault by putting a drug in the drink of deputy Sandrine Josso.
4 YEARS OF PRISON SENTENCE
The court in Paris rejected Guerriau's defense that he may have unintentionally given Josso a substance that could impair her ability to discern or control her actions, sentencing the former senator to a total of 4 years in prison, 2.5 years of which is suspended. It was decided that Joel Guerriau would spend 1.5 years of his sentence in prison.
The court ruling stated that the intent of rape or sexual assault could be inferred from various elements, including Guerriau's insistence that Josso drink the beverage laced with drugs, his unusual and inappropriate behavior, and his internet searches regarding drugs and their effects within the context of sexual assault.
STATEMENT FROM HIS LAWYERS ON APPEAL
Guerriau's lawyers stated that they plan to appeal the decision. Lawyer Henri Carpentier said, "The case will be reassessed in the appeals court, especially regarding the intent of assault, which my client completely denies."
SANDRINE JOSSO DESCRIBED THE INCIDENT
In 2023, while serving as a former senator, Joel Guerriau invited deputy Sandrine Josso to his apartment, which, according to official sources, was made to celebrate an election victory. In her statement, Sandrine Josso mentioned that she felt unwell shortly after drinking the alcoholic beverage offered by Guerriau and could not respond normally, stating that the taste of the drink was unusual. Deputy Josso expressed that she was sure Guerriau would have assaulted her if she had not managed to leave the apartment during the incident. Guerriau denied the allegations and resigned from his senatorial position in October.