Full Breakdown
French Teen Charged in Singapore Over Vending-Machine Straw Stunt
4/29/2026, 5:27:36 AM
Incident Overview
On 12 March 2026, 18-year-old Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a French student enrolled at the Singapore campus of ESSEC Business School, filmed himself licking a straw from an iJooz orange-juice vending machine and returning the straw to the dispenser. He posted the clip to his Instagram Story with the caption “city is not safe.” The video was rapidly reposted, prompting a police investigation.
Singapore’s Strict Enforcement Context
Singapore is widely recognised for its stringent public-order laws and a zero-tolerance approach to hygiene violations. The case echoes earlier high-profile incidents, such as the 1993 prosecution of American teenager Michael Fay, which underscored Singapore’s willingness to apply severe penalties to foreign nationals for relatively minor offences.
Key Parties Involved
- Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien – the accused student.
- iJooz – operator of the smart vending machines.
- ESSEC Business School Singapore – the institution where Maximilien studies; a school representative acted as his bailor.
- Singapore Police Force – investigated the alleged mischief and public nuisance.
- Singapore Judiciary – issued bail of S$5,000 and scheduled the next hearing.
Legal Charges and Potential Penalties
Maximilien faces two charges:
1. Public nuisance – punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.
2. Mischief – punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
If convicted on both counts, the maximum custodial term exceeds two years, and fines could total several thousand Singapore dollars. iJooz reported that it replaced all 500 straws in the affected dispenser as a precautionary measure.
Official Statements & Responses
- iJooz told Channel NewsAsia that it had lodged a police report, initiated sanitation protocols, and replaced the 500 straws.
- ESSEC Business School confirmed Maximilien’s enrollment, said it was conducting an internal review, and noted that a school representative would serve as his bailor.
- Singapore police confirmed the filing of charges for public nuisance and mischief following the Instagram post.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The Instagram clip generated widespread online outrage, with many commenters expressing disgust at the act. Observers highlighted the incident as a reminder of Singapore’s rigorous enforcement of public-health standards, prompting debate over whether the potential penalties are proportionate to the conduct.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the core facts—date, location, charges, and iJooz’s replacement of 500 straws. No source provides the exact amount of any fine that may be imposed if convicted, and iJooz has not disclosed whether additional health inspections were performed beyond straw replacement.
Verbatim Quote
> “city is not safe.” — Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, Instagram Story caption
Upcoming Court Date
The case is scheduled for a further hearing on 22 May 2026, when the court will determine whether Maximilien will be convicted and, if so, the exact sentence.
