French Teen Fined S$600 for Licking Straw in Singapore

What Happened in the Singapore Straw-Licking Case?

A 19-year-old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, was fined S$600 (approximately €406) by a Singapore court on July 30, 2026, after pleading guilty to a public nuisance charge. The incident occurred on March 12, 2026, when Maximilien filmed himself licking a straw from an iJooz orange juice vending machine at Goldhill Centre, a shopping mall along Thomson Road in Singapore, and then placing it back into the dispenser. He posted the video on Instagram with the caption 'city is not safe,' which quickly went viral, sparking widespread public outrage and leading to his arrest.

The case highlights Singapore's notoriously strict laws on public conduct and hygiene. The city-state, often called the 'Fine City,' enforces heavy penalties for offenses such as littering, chewing gum, and even failing to flush a public toilet. In this instance, the strict laws in Singapore meant that a seemingly minor prank could have resulted in jail time.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Maximilien, who studies at ESSEC Business School in Singapore, was initially charged with mischief as well as public nuisance. However, the mischief charge was taken into consideration during sentencing. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which the court considered a mitigating factor. District Judge Kelly Ho accepted the defense's proposal of a fine, noting that probation or community-based sentences would be logistically difficult since Maximilien's father resides in France and the teen must return there in September to continue his studies.

The prosecution acknowledged that the offense was at the 'lower end' of seriousness. They noted that no member of the public had used the contaminated straw, as Maximilien later retrieved the same straw for his own use after filming the stunt. His lawyer emphasized that his client was 'fully sorry' and had not intended to cause such widespread commotion. The maximum penalty for public nuisance in Singapore is up to three months' imprisonment, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.

Impact on the Vending Machine Operator

The incident forced iJooz, the company operating the vending machine, to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser as a precautionary measure, costing approximately S$5. The company also sanitized the machine and announced plans to upgrade its vending machines with individually packaged straws to prevent similar incidents in the future. An employee of iJooz filed a police report after the video was brought to their attention, triggering the investigation.

This case echoes other viral prank legal consequences where social media stunts have led to serious legal trouble, particularly in jurisdictions with strict public order laws.

Singapore's Strict Laws and Foreigners

Singapore is known for its stringent rules and rigorous enforcement, which apply equally to locals and foreigners. The country bans chewing gum (except for therapeutic purposes), imposes fines for littering up to S$1,000 for a first offense, and penalizes eating or drinking on public transport with fines up to S$500. The straw-licking case serves as a cautionary tale for tourists and expatriates about the importance of respecting local laws.

Immigration authorities in Singapore will now review whether Maximilien's student pass can be renewed following his conviction. The outcome of that review remains unclear, but the case has already drawn international attention to Singapore's zero-tolerance approach to public nuisance.

FAQ: Singapore Straw-Licking Incident

What was the French teen charged with?

He was charged with public nuisance under Singapore's Penal Code. A mischief charge was also considered but not proceeded with.

What was the punishment?

He was fined S$600 (about €406). He faced a maximum of three months in jail and/or a fine of up to S$2,000.

Why did the court impose a fine instead of jail?

Mitigating factors included his early guilty plea, his young age, the fact that no member of the public was harmed, and logistical difficulties with probation since he must return to France for his studies.

Could his student visa be affected?

Yes. Singapore's immigration authorities will decide whether to renew his student pass after the conviction.

What is Singapore's stance on public nuisance?

Singapore enforces strict public order laws to maintain cleanliness and safety. Offenses like littering, spitting, and vandalism carry heavy fines and sometimes jail time.

Sources

Information for this article was gathered from multiple news outlets, including the BBC, Associated Press, Deutsche Welle, and local Singaporean media reports. The original story was also covered by the Dutch public broadcaster NOS.