Full Breakdown
French Teen Charged in Singapore Over Vending-Machine Straw Incident
4/27/2026, 10:08:05 PM
Incident Overview
On 12 March 2026, 18-year-old French student Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien filmed himself licking a straw from an orange-juice vending machine in a Singapore shopping centre and returning the straw to the dispenser. He posted the clip to Instagram Stories with the caption “city is not safe.” The video was widely shared online, prompting a police report and criminal charges of mischief and public nuisance.
Background & Legal Context
Singapore’s Mischief Act criminalises conduct that is “likely to cause wrongful loss or damage” to property, while the Public Nuisance Ordinance penalises actions that “cause annoyance to the public.” Both statutes carry custodial sentences and monetary fines, reflecting the city-state’s strict approach to public health and order.
Key Figures & Organizations
- Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien – French national, 18, enrolled at the Singapore campus of ESSEC Business School.
- iJooz – Operator of the vending machine; reported the incident to police, replaced all 500 straws, and initiated sanitation protocols.
- ESSEC Business School (Singapore) – Issued a statement confirming awareness of the case and an internal investigation; a school representative will act as Maximilien’s bailor.
Timeline of Events
- 12 Mar 2026 – Alleged licking of the straw occurs.
- 27 Apr 2026 – Court documents released on Monday, detailing the charges.
- 22 May 2026 – Next court appearance scheduled.
Data & Penalties
- Straws replaced: 500.
- Maximum custodial term: Combined penalties could exceed two years’ imprisonment.
- Public nuisance: Up to three months’ jail and a fine (exact amount unspecified).
- Mischief: Potentially up to two years’ jail; fines amounting to several thousand Singapore dollars.
Official Statements & Responses
iJooz told Channel NewsAsia that it lodged a police report, carried out sanitation measures, and replaced all straws in the dispenser. An ESSEC spokesperson confirmed the school’s awareness of the incident and that an internal probe was underway. Maximilien’s lawyers reported that his parents had travelled to Singapore and that a school representative would serve as his bailor.
Public Reaction & Criticism
Online users expressed strong disgust, describing the act as a health hazard and a breach of social responsibility. Community pages amplified the video, and local media highlighted the “widespread outrage” it generated. Critics argued that the teenager’s behaviour undermined public confidence in shared facilities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the maximum jail term for the public nuisance charge: one report cites “up to three months,” while another states “more than two years” for the combined offences. The precise fine amounts and the exact date of the court hearing (beyond the scheduled 22 May) are not disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “city is not safe.” — Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, Instagram caption
- “licking a straw and placing it back at the vending machine” — Court document describing the act
- “would or would probably cause annoyance to the public” — Court document on intent
- “likely to cause wrongful loss or damage” — Court document defining the mischief charge
What’s Next
The case will return to Singapore’s court on 22 May 2026, where a judge will determine Maximilien’s guilt and, if applicable, impose the statutory penalties. The outcome may influence future enforcement of hygiene-related offences and corporate responses to viral social-media incidents.
