French teen fined in Singapore over ‘straw licking’ stunt

A French teenager was fined approximately $465 in Singapore after pleading guilty to a public nuisance charge. The incident involved a "straw licking" stunt, though the article does not specify when or where this occurred within Singapore. The teenager admitted to the charge, leading to the financial penalty. The court's decision resulted in the fine being imposed on the individual.

A 19-year-old French teenager, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, was fined S$600 (US$465) in Singapore for public nuisance. On March 12, Maximilien filmed himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine and returning it to the dispenser before leaving with the drink. He then uploaded the edited video to Instagram. The clip went viral after being shared from his Instagram circle to a media outlet. Maximilien pleaded guilty to the public nuisance charge, with a second charge of mischief considered.

A 19-year-old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, was fined S$600 (approximately $465) by a Singapore court for public nuisance. Maximilien pleaded guilty to licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and returning it to the dispenser, then posting a video of the act on Instagram. The incident, which occurred in Singapore, led to widespread disgust online and prompted the vending machine company, iJooz, to replace all 500 straws in the affected dispenser. Maximilien's lawyers stated he is "truly sorry" for the trouble caused, acknowledging the serious consequences of his actions. Both the prosecution and defense agreed a fine was appropriate.