Full Breakdown
French Student Fined for Straw-Licking Stunt in Singapore
8/1/2026, 4:55:26 AM
The Incident and Court Verdict
On 12 March 2026, 19-year-old French business student Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien removed a straw from an iJooz orange-juice vending machine at Goldhill Centre, licked it, and placed it back in the dispenser while recording an Instagram story captioned “city is not safe.” The video spread rapidly on social media, prompting a police investigation. Maximilien pleaded guilty to a single count of public nuisance. On 30 July 2026, the State Courts sentenced him to a S$600 fine (? US$465) and did not impose a jail term or community-based sentence.
Legal Framework and Penalties
Singapore’s public-order statutes classify public-nuisance offences as punishable by a fine of up to S$2,000 or imprisonment of up to three months, or both. The court exercised its discretion to impose only the monetary penalty, citing the offender’s age and the circumstances of the case.
Data & Statistics
- Fine imposed: S$600 (? US$465).
- Cost to replace straws: S$5 for all 500 straws in the dispenser.
- Maximum statutory penalty: S$2,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment.
- iJooz vending machines: Common in shopping districts, train stations and residential blocks across Singapore, dispensing freshly squeezed orange juice at about S$2 per cup.
Official Statements & Responses
- Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew explained that the fine was appropriate given Maximilien’s youth and the “lower end” seriousness of the offence.
- Judge Kelly Ho noted Maximilien’s age and the nature of the conduct when deciding against probation or a community-based sentence.
- iJooz filed a police report, sanitized the affected dispenser, and replaced all 500 straws as a precaution. The company announced plans to upgrade its machines with individually wrapped straws and secure compartments that release only after a purchase is completed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is truly sorry for having caused all this trouble,” — Kalidass Murugayan, remorse defence lawyer
- “The contaminated straw was not used by anyone.” — Kalidass Murugaiyan, defense lawyer
- “He is fully sorry for having caused all this trouble,” — Kalidass Murugaiyan, defense lawyer
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The court did not rule on the status of Maximilien’s student pass. Singapore immigration authorities have indicated they will review the case separately, but no decision has been announced. Some reports note the possibility of revocation, while others simply state that the matter remains under review.
What’s Next
Immigration officials will determine whether Maximilien may retain his student pass after the fine. He is scheduled to return to France for part of his academic term between September and December 2026, after which he is expected to resume studies at ESSEC Business School in Singapore.
