A French teenager is facing a potential jail sentence in Singapore after he licked a straw and placed it back into an orange juice vending machine. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, has been charged with mischief and public nuisance following the incident, court documents revealed on Monday.
Incident Details
The teen allegedly filmed himself licking a straw and returning it to the vending machine, then uploaded the video on Instagram. According to court documents, he knew the act would likely cause annoyance to the public. The incident took place on March 12 at a shopping centre vending machine operated by iJooz.
Company Response
iJooz, the company that owns the vending machine, stated that it replaced all 500 straws in the dispenser after the incident. The brand is known for its smart vending machines that serve freshly squeezed orange juice.
Legal Consequences
If found guilty of both charges, Maximilien faces a maximum jail sentence of more than two years and thousands of dollars in fines. The teenager, who is studying in Singapore, posted the video as an Instagram Story with a caption stating 'city is not safe'.
Public Reaction
The clip circulated widely on social media, with many viewers expressing disgust at the act. It was reposted on a community page and picked up by local news outlets. The Straits Times reported that the video 'quickly went viral, sparking shock and concern among netizens'.
School and Family Involvement
Maximilien's school, the Singapore branch of ESSEC Business School, confirmed it was aware of the incident and that internal investigations were underway. A spokesperson said, 'ESSEC takes matters of conduct and community responsibility seriously.' The teenager's lawyer informed Channel NewsAsia that Maximilien's parents had flown to Singapore from France, and a representative from his school would act as his bailor.
Next Steps
Maximilien is represented by lawyers Kanthan Raghavendra and Kalidass Murugaiyan of Kalidass Law Corporation. The charges were lodged before a district court last Friday, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 22.
