French student fined for public nuisance in Singapore
A French student was fined 600 Singapore dollars ($465) after pleading guilty Thursday to a public nuisance charge in Singapore for filming himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and putting it back in what lawyers described as a social media stunt, reports BritPanorama.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers. This occurred at a shopping mall in March, and he was charged in April after his video gained significant attention.
Another charge of mischief was considered during sentencing. The court imposed the fine without ordering any community-based sentence after taking mitigating factors into account.
The public nuisance charge carries a penalty of up to three months in prison. Prosecutors sought the maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars ($1,551), arguing that the staged act was intended for social media and threatened to undermine public confidence in the hygiene of a commonly used vending machine.
Prosecutors noted that Maximilien retrieved the straw himself, no member of the public had used it, and there was no evidence of harm. They also pointed out his youth and that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Maximilien is studying at a business school in Singapore but will also spend time in France from September to December as part of his studies. Immigration authorities will determine whether he can retain his student pass in Singapore, taking all relevant factors into account.
Defense counsel Kalidass Murugayan stated that the student has been living in Singapore without family support and expressed deep remorse for his actions. He explained that the video was intended as a stunt for social media followers and noted that Maximilien later removed the straw from the machine to use for his own drink, indicating it was never meant for anyone else.
“He is truly sorry for having caused all this trouble,” said the lawyer. Parents will ensure that he pays the fine, with the student leaving the court without commenting to reporters.
IJooz, the operator of the juice vending machine, filed a police report about the incident and sanitized the dispenser, replacing all 500 straws in the machine. The company announced plans to upgrade its machines to include features such as individually packaged straws and compartments that unlock only after the transaction is completed.
Singapore, a densely populated city-state, tightly regulates public behavior and cleanliness, imposing strong penalties for littering and vandalism.
