Singapore fines French teen $465 for viral straw‑licking stunt
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, studying in Singapore, pleaded guilty to a single count of public nuisance after a video of him licking a straw from an orange‑juice vending machine at Goldhill Centre went viral. The clip, captioned “city is not safe,” was reposted on a community page and covered by local media.
The vending machine, operated by iJooz, was promptly serviced by replacing all 500 straws following the incident. Public‑nuisance cases in Singapore carry a maximum fine of S$2,000, up to three months imprisonment, or both. In this case, both the prosecution and defence agreed on a fine of S$600 (≈$465).
Maximilien apologized for his actions, acknowledging that what seemed like a playful act was actually consequential. He confirmed he was “truly sorry for having caused all this trouble” and has since expressed remorse. The court’s decision underscores how public‑nuisance offences and viral social‑media pranks can have real legal consequences, even for seemingly minor transgressions.
iJooz vending machines, a common sight around Singapore’s shopping districts, train stations, and housing blocks, serve freshly‑squeezed orange juice at S$2 per cup. The brand’s quick response to the incident may help mitigate further damage to its reputation and assert its commitment to cleanliness and safety.
