Full Breakdown
French Teen Charged in Singapore for Vending-Machine Straw Lick Video
5/1/2026, 4:48:59 PM
Incident Overview
On 12 March 2026, 18-year-old French national Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien filmed himself licking a straw from an orange-juice vending machine in a Singapore shopping mall and then returning the straw to the dispenser. He posted the video on social media, where it quickly spread. Singaporean police charged Maximilien on 24 April 2026 with mischief and public nuisance. He has not entered a plea and is scheduled to appear in the State Courts on 29 May 2026.
Legal Framework and Potential Penalties
Mischief carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. Public nuisance carries a maximum of three months’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. These statutes reflect Singapore’s strict approach to public cleanliness, which also includes limits on chewing gum and severe penalties for littering and vandalism.
Background: Singapore’s Public-Cleanliness Regulations
Singapore’s dense urban environment has prompted the government to enforce rigorous standards for public hygiene. The city-state’s legal regime penalises actions that compromise communal cleanliness, aiming to preserve a reputation for orderliness. The current case illustrates the application of these regulations to a digital-age misconduct scenario.
Key Parties Involved
- Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien – French teenager, student at a French business school in Singapore.
- IJooz – Operator of the juice vending machine; filed a police report, sanitized the dispenser, and replaced all 500 straws.
- The Straits Times – Singapore’s largest English-language newspaper, source of court and procedural details.
- Singapore State Courts – Judicial body handling the mischief and public nuisance charges.
- Teen’s legal counsel – Declined to comment when approached for remarks.
Timeline of Events
- 12 Mar 2026 – Offense recorded at a shopping mall.
- 24 Apr 2026 – Formal charges of mischief and public nuisance filed.
- 29 Apr 2026 – Court grants Maximilien permission to travel to Manila for a school trip (2 May – 25 May).
- 29 May 2026 – Scheduled court appearance for plea entry.
Operational Response by IJooz
Following the incident, IJooz reported that it sanitized the vending machine and replaced all 500 straws. The company announced plans to upgrade its machines with individually packaged straws and lockable compartments that activate only after a transaction is completed, aiming to prevent future misuse.
Significance for Public Hygiene Enforcement
The prosecution demonstrates Singapore’s application of its public-hygiene statutes to emerging forms of contamination, reinforcing deterrence against actions that could compromise communal food safety. It also signals to businesses the need for design safeguards against misuse of dispensing equipment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The available sources do not include direct statements from Maximilien or from Singaporean law-enforcement officials. Additionally, the precise content of the social-media video beyond the described act is not detailed, leaving uncertainty about broader public reaction and any further investigative findings.
