Former French senator found guilty of drugging lawmaker to assault her

Former French Senator Joel Guerriau arrives with his lawyer Henri Carpentier for a hearing in his trial for allegedly spiking member of parliament Sandrine Josso's drink with the intention of sexually assaulting her, at the courthouse in Paris, France, January 26, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

PARIS, Jan 28 (Reuters) - ‌A former French senator was found guilty by a Paris court late on ‌Tuesday of having spiked a lawmaker's drink with ecstasy with the intention ‌of sexually assaulting her.

The court, in its ruling, rejected the defence's argument that Joel Guerriau, 68, may have "inadvertently" administered lawmaker Sandrine Josso with "a substance liable to alter her discernment or control over her actions, in order ‍to commit rape or sexual aggression".