Teen French Student Faces Jail in Singapore for Licking Vending Machine Straw

An 18-year-old French student faces up to two years in jail in Singapore after allegedly licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and returning it to the dispenser, an act that sparked public outrage and prompted the company operating the machine to replace all 500 straws inside.

Charges and Legal Consequences

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a student at the Singapore campus of Essec Business School, was charged on April 24 with two offenses: public nuisance and mischief. According to court documents cited by multiple news outlets, the alleged incident occurred on March 12 at a shopping center in Singapore.

The public nuisance charge stems from Maximilien allegedly filming himself “licking a straw and placing it back at the vending machine” and uploading the video to Instagram, knowing it “would or would probably cause annoyance to the public.” This offense carries a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a fine.

The second charge, mischief, alleges that Maximilien knew his actions were “likely to cause wrongful loss or damage” to iJooz, the company operating the vending machine. The company reportedly had to discard and replace all 500 straws in the dispenser as a precaution. A conviction for mischief could result in a jail term of up to two years and a fine.

The next court hearing is scheduled for May 22, where further details of the case may emerge.

Public Reaction and Viral Video

The video of Maximilien licking the straw and placing it back in the vending machine quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread shock and disgust. Local media, including The Straits Times, reported that the clip sparked concern among netizens, with many expressing outrage over the hygiene implications of the act.

According to news reports, Maximilien posted the video as an Instagram Story with the caption “city is not safe.” The video was later reposted on a community page and picked up by local news outlets, amplifying its reach.

iJooz, the company behind the vending machine, told Channel NewsAsia (CNA) that it had filed a police report and initiated sanitation protocols, including a full inspection of the machine. The company emphasized the need to ensure public safety and hygiene in response to the incident.

Background and Context

Maximilien is in Singapore on a student pass and is enrolled at the Singapore campus of Essec Business School, a prestigious French business school with an international presence. A spokesperson for the school confirmed to local media that it was aware of the incident and had launched an internal investigation. However, no further details about the school’s response or potential disciplinary actions have been disclosed.

Maximilien’s parents reportedly flew to Singapore following the charges, and a representative from his school is acting as his bailor, according to statements from his lawyers to CNA.

Singapore is known for its strict laws and enforcement of public order, including penalties for acts deemed to cause public nuisance or damage to property. The case has drawn attention to the country’s zero-tolerance approach to behaviors that could compromise public hygiene or safety, even in seemingly minor incidents.

Broader Implications

The incident has reignited discussions about the responsibilities of individuals in public spaces, particularly in a city-state where hygiene standards are rigorously enforced. While the act of licking a straw and returning it to a vending machine may seem trivial to some, the legal consequences in Singapore highlight the seriousness with which such actions are treated.

The case also underscores the potential consequences of viral social media posts, where a moment of poor judgment can quickly escalate into a legal and reputational crisis. Maximilien’s situation serves as a cautionary tale for students and travelers in Singapore, where cultural and legal norms may differ significantly from those in their home countries.

As the case proceeds, it will likely continue to draw attention both locally and internationally, particularly among expatriate communities and students studying abroad in Singapore.