Full Breakdown
French Teen Faces Singapore Jail Over Vending-Machine Straw Lick
5/1/2026, 5:08:09 PM
Charged Over Viral Straw Lick
On 12 March 2026, 18-year-old French student Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien filmed himself licking a straw from an iJooz orange-juice vending machine in a Singapore mall and returning it to the dispenser. The Instagram video went viral. Singapore police charged him on 24 April with mischief and public nuisance, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, up to three months’ imprisonment, and fines of several thousand Singapore dollars.
Singapore’s Strict Hygiene Laws
Singapore enforces a tightly regulated public-hygiene regime, including bans on chewing gum and stiff penalties for littering and vandalism. The iJooz case shows the city-state applying mischief and public-nuisance statutes even to minor health-risk acts.
Key Figures
The accused is French national Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a student at the Singapore campus of ESSEC Business School. The vending-machine operator is iJooz. Singapore’s State Courts are handling the case.
Timeline
12 Mar 2026 – alleged straw-licking at a mall.
24 Apr 2026 – charges filed.
28-29 Apr 2026 – court granted permission to travel to Manila (2-25 May).
22 May 2026 (or 29 May 2026) – next hearing.
Bail set at 5,000 SGD.
Data & Penalties
iJooz replaced all 500 straws and will upgrade machines with individually packaged straws and lockable compartments. The mischief charge carries up to two years’ imprisonment; the public-nuisance charge up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 2,000 SGD. Bail was set at 5,000 SGD.
Impact & Significance
The case underscores Singapore’s strict approach to public-health breaches and raises questions about the proportionality of penalties for minor hygiene offences. It echoes the 1993 Michael Fay caning incident that strained diplomatic ties and may shape future standards for shared public amenities.
Official Responses
iJooz said it lodged a police report, sanitized the machine, replaced all straws and will introduce individually packaged straws with lockable compartments. ESSEC Business School confirmed Maximilien’s enrollment, said it was aware of the incident, is conducting an internal review and has a school representative as bailor. Singapore authorities set bail at 5,000 SGD and outlined the statutory penalties for the two charges.
Public Reaction
Social-media users expressed widespread disgust, labeling the act unsafe and irresponsible, and called for stricter hygiene enforcement. The video’s reposting on community pages amplified outrage and sparked media debate over the proportionality of the legal response.
Conflicting Reports
Media outlets differ on the scheduled hearing: some cite 22 May 2026, others 29 May 2026. All agree on the 5,000 SGD bail and the replacement of 500 straws, but no direct comment from his lawyers has been reported.
Verbatim Quote
“city is not safe.” — Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, Instagram caption
Next Steps
Maximilien is due back before the State Courts in late May for a hearing on the mischief and public-nuisance charges. The outcome will test Singapore’s application of health-related offences to foreign students and may prompt revisions to vending-machine hygiene protocols.
