French student fined in Singapore over viral straw-licking stunt

A legal chapter involving social media clout-chasing has concluded in the State Courts building in Singapore, highlighting the strict city-state's intolerance for hygiene-compromising pranks. According to AP News, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien appeared before the court on Thursday, July 30, 2026, where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of public nuisance. The nineteen-year-old student faced legal repercussions after filming himself licking a straw belonging to an automated orange juice dispenser and placing it back inside the machine.

The incident, which took place at a shopping mall, occurred in March. The resulting video spread rapidly across online platforms, drawing immediate backlash and triggering an official investigation. AP News reported that a separate charge of mischief was taken into consideration during the sentencing process.

According to Dailynews, the fine levied against the teenager amounted to 15,000 Thai baht, equivalent to 600 Singapore dollars or roughly $465. Prosecutors had initially pushed for a maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars, arguing that the staged act undermined public trust in the hygiene standards of automated food and beverage dispensers.

District Judge Kelly Ho noted that given the offender's youth and the specific circumstances of the case, community-based sentencing or probation would typically be considered. However, practical difficulties led the court to agree that a financial penalty was the appropriate course of action, a stance supported by Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilien Chew.

Defense counsel Kalidass Murugayan told the court that his client was deeply remorseful. The lawyer explained that the stunt was designed for social media followers, but emphasized that the teenager later retrieved the contaminated straw to use for his own drink, ensuring no member of the public was exposed to it. The defense also stressed that the student has been living in Singapore without family support and that his parents would ensure he paid the penalty himself.

Defense counsel Kalidass Murugayan told the court about his client's deep remorse, stating:

"He is truly sorry for having caused all this trouble"

Kalidass Murugayan, Defense counsel, via AP News

Operational Impact and Vending Overhauls

The stunt caused immediate operational disruption for iJooz, the company operating the automated orange juice kiosk. Company representatives filed a formal police report following the digital spread of the footage. Maintenance crews were dispatched to sanitize the entire dispenser.

Furthermore, the company had to replace all 500 straws stored within the machine. Dailynews noted that the value of the replaced straws totaled 5 Singapore dollars, or approximately 130 Thai baht. In response to the breach, iJooz announced plans to upgrade its entire fleet of machines. Future security and hygiene measures will incorporate individually packaged straws and dispensing compartments that remain locked until a transaction is fully completed.

The case serves as another stark reminder of how Singapore treats infractions against public order and sanitation. The densely populated island nation maintains rigorous legal frameworks guarding public health and civic cleanliness, punishing actions perceived as threats to communal well-being.

Case Timeline and Future Proceedings

• March: The video is filmed at a shopping mall and subsequently uploaded to social media.
• April: Formal charges are filed against the student after the footage spreads widely online.
• July 30, 2026: Maximilien pleads guilty at the State Courts building and receives a 600 Singapore dollar fine.

While the court proceedings have concluded, the student's status in the country remains uncertain. AP News reported that Maximilien is currently enrolled at a business school in Singapore, but has scheduled travel to France between September and December as part of his academic curriculum. Immigration authorities will ultimately determine whether he is permitted to retain his student pass following the public nuisance conviction.