French teen's straw‑licking case delayed in Singapore
French student Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, filmed himself licking a straw from an IJooz vending machine in a Singapore mall on March 12 and posted the video online. The clip went viral, prompting police action. He was charged with mischief, public nuisance and alleged property damage after the company replaced 500 straws.
Prosecutors postponed the court hearing to July 30 to determine whether his student pass would be revoked if convicted. Mischief carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine, while public nuisance can lead to up to three months’ jail or a fine. Singapore’s strict hygiene and public order laws underpin the case, and IJooz said it will upgrade its machines with individually packaged straws.
The teen remains on bail and continues his business studies in Singapore while the legal process proceeds.