SINGAPORE, July 30: A French student has been fined 600 Singapore dollars (about US$465) after pleading guilty to causing public nuisance by filming himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and placing it back inside, in a prank intended for social media.
The incident, which took place at a shopping mall in March, quickly went viral online and sparked public concern over hygiene standards. Authorities charged the 19-year-old student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, in April after the video gained widespread attention.
During Thursday’s hearing, the court accepted his guilty plea and imposed a financial penalty, while taking an additional charge of mischief into consideration during sentencing. No community based punishment or jail term was ordered.
Prosecutors Highlight Public Health Concerns
Prosecutors argued that the prank had the potential to damage public confidence in the cleanliness and safety of vending machines frequently used by consumers. Although the offence carries a maximum penalty of three months’ imprisonment, prosecutors sought only the highest permissible fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars (about US$1,551).
The prosecution acknowledged several mitigating factors, including the student’s early guilty plea, his age, and the absence of evidence showing that any customer used the contaminated straw.
Investigators also confirmed that the straw had been retrieved by the student himself and was never handed to another customer.
Defence Says Student Expressed Genuine Remorse
Defence lawyer Kalidass Murugayan told the court that the video was created solely to attract attention on social media and was never intended to endanger the public.
According to the defence, Maximilien removed the straw after filming the clip and later used it for his own drink, ensuring it was not left available for another customer.
The lawyer further said the student had been living independently in Singapore without family support and deeply regretted the incident.
“He is truly sorry for having caused all this trouble,” the defence counsel told the court, adding that the student’s parents had insisted he pay the fine himself as a lesson in accountability.
The student declined to speak to reporters after leaving the courtroom.
Student Pass Under Immigration Review
Court proceedings also revealed that Maximilien is enrolled at a business school in Singapore and is scheduled to spend part of the upcoming academic term in France between September and December.
Prosecutors informed the court that Singapore’s immigration authorities would separately decide whether the student’s pass should remain valid after reviewing all relevant circumstances.
No decision on his immigration status has yet been announced.
Juice Company Strengthens Safety Measures
Following the incident, IJooz, the company operating the vending machine, filed a police complaint and immediately sanitised the affected dispenser.
The company also replaced all 500 drinking straws stored inside the machine as a precautionary measure.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, IJooz announced plans to upgrade its vending machines by introducing individually wrapped straws and secure compartments that release them only after a customer completes a purchase.
Singapore Maintains Strict Public Conduct Standards
Singapore is widely recognised for enforcing strict public cleanliness and hygiene regulations. The city-state imposes tough penalties for offences that could affect public health, including littering, vandalism and acts considered harmful to shared public facilities.
Authorities said the case serves as a reminder that online content created for entertainment or social media popularity can still attract legal consequences when it compromises public trust or safety.