- Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a 19-year-old French student, was fined S$600 ($465) for public nuisance after licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine and putting it back into the dispenser.
- The incident occurred on March 12 at the Goldhill Centre, where Maximilien had attended a boxing session before using the vending machine.
- The video of the stunt went viral shortly after the incident, leading to a significant backlash and his subsequent arrest.
- Judge Kelly Ho stated that given Maximilien's age and the nature of the offence, alternatives like probation or a community-based sentence would not be imposed.
- Maximilien pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, with a second charge of mischief taken into consideration.
- The company that owns the vending machine, iJooz, replaced all 500 straws in the machine dispenser following the incident.
- In Singapore, public nuisance offenders can face fines up to S$2,000, three months in jail, or both.
- Prosecutors noted that while hygiene was compromised, there was no evidence of harm as no member of the public used the straw.
- Maximilien expressed remorse, stating he was truly sorry for causing trouble and realized the consequences of his actions.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a 19-year-old French student, was fined S$600 (US$465) for a public nuisance after licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine and returning it. The incident occurred on March 12 at Goldhill Centre, a location known for its affluence.12348
Maximilien's video went viral, prompting public outrage and his subsequent arrest in a city-state renowned for strict public hygiene laws. The court emphasized the importance of public hygiene, with Judge Kelly Ho stating that alternatives like probation were not suitable given the “age and nature of the offence.”56
Maximilien pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, with a second charge of mischief considered. His defence lawyer noted that he is “truly sorry for having caused all this trouble” and recognized the serious consequences of his actions. The prosecution agreed to the fine, citing that while hygiene was compromised, there was “no evidence of harm” as no one used the straw after it was licked.71011
The vending machine company, iJooz, responded by replacing all 500 straws in the machine to ensure public safety. Public nuisance offenders in Singapore can face fines up to S$2,000, three months in jail, or both, highlighting the seriousness with which such offences are treated in the country.9
“Maximilien, 19, pleaded guilty to public nuisance, with prosecutors noting the offence was at the 'lower end' of seriousness. The vending machine company, iJooz, replaced all 500 straws in the dispenser following the incident, highlighting Singapore's strict hygiene regulations.”
South China Morning Post
BBC
