- Maximilien licked the straw from an iJooz machine in Goldhill Centre on 12 March, which led to a public nuisance charge.
- The clip went viral on Instagram shortly after the incident, triggering a backlash that led to his arrest in Singapore.
- Maximilien pleaded guilty to a public nuisance charge and was fined S$600 ($465; £348).
- The company that owns the vending machine, iJooz, replaced all 500 straws in the machine dispenser after Maximilien's stunt.
- Judge Kelly Ho noted that given Maximilien's age and the nature of the offence, alternatives like probation or a community-based sentence would not be imposed.
- Prosecutors agreed to the defence's proposal for a fine, stating the offence was at the lower end of its seriousness.
- Maximilien is a 19-year-old French student who expressed remorse for his actions, stating he now understands the consequences of his prank.
- The incident resulted in a direct cost of just 5 Singapore dollars for the company, but the broader implications included a public backlash.
- Public nuisance offenders in Singapore can face fines up to S$2,000, three months in jail, or both.
A French teenager, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, was fined S$600 ($465) for a straw-licking prank at a vending machine in Singapore. He pleaded guilty to a public nuisance charge after filming himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and putting it back.1348
The incident occurred on March 12 at an iJooz machine in Goldhill Centre, a wealthy area of Singapore. The prank went viral on social media, prompting backlash and his subsequent arrest. Maximilien's actions led to the replacement of all 500 straws in the machine, although the direct cost was only S$5 (around €3.30).5
Judge Kelly Ho noted that given Maximilien's age and the nature of the offence, alternatives like probation were not imposed. Prosecutors described the offence as being at the "lower end" of seriousness, emphasizing that while hygiene was compromised, no public harm occurred. Maximilien expressed remorse, stating he now understands the consequences of his actions. His lawyer highlighted that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and logistical issues prevented a community-based sentence as he needed to return to France for studies in September.67
Public nuisance offenders in Singapore can face fines up to S$2,000 or three months in jail. Maximilien's case underscores the strict enforcement of public order and hygiene rules in the city-state.11
“Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, expressed remorse, stating he now understands the prank's serious consequences. The court noted that while hygiene was compromised, no public harm occurred, leading to a fine rather than a harsher penalty.”
DW.com
