A former French senator, Joel Guerriau, has been sentenced for drugging an MP with ecstasy, leading to a conviction that has shocked the nation. Guerriau, who is 68 years old, was found guilty this Tuesday of spiking the drink of 50-year-old MP Sandrine Josso during a visit to his Paris apartment back in November 2023.
He received a four-year prison sentence, of which 18 months must be served in prison. Additionally, Guerriau was ordered to pay €5,000 (about £4,348) in damages to Josso for emotional distress caused by the incident.
During the trial, Guerriau admitted to serving Josso a drink laced with MDMA, but he maintained that it was an unintentional act, denying any intent to assault her. This defense has sparked outrage and concern regarding accountability in cases of drug-facilitated assaults.
Josso expressed her relief following the verdict, emphasizing the emotional toll the event has taken on her life. After consuming the drink, Josso experienced severe disorientation, which led to her being hospitalized where tests showed she had three times the recreational dose of MDMA in her system.
Guerriau, a former member of the Horizons party, has a history of depression, explaining that he had planned to use the drug himself but mistakenly offered it to Josso instead. His actions reflect a disturbing reality of the dangers posed by drug consumption and its potential for abuse.
Josso's experience has transformed her into a fierce advocate against chemical submission and drug-facilitated sexual assault. She has joined forces with groups aiming to raise awareness and combat these heinous acts, stating, What I went through is still very painful... psychological trauma feels like being frozen in time.
This case highlights the importance of consent and the ongoing societal challenges related to drug-facilitated crimes. The legal and moral implications of Guerriau's actions continue to resonate throughout France.
