A teenager from France is now facing charges of mischief and public nuisance in Singapore after sharing a video on social media where he licked a straw from an orange juice vending machine and then returned it to its place.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, aged 18, was formally charged on April 24, though he has not yet entered a plea. This information was reported by The Straits Times, Singapore’s leading English-language newspaper.
The incident reportedly took place at a shopping mall on March 12, and the video quickly gained traction online after being uploaded, according to the report.
On Wednesday, the court granted the teen permission to travel to Manila from May 2-25, as part of a school trip necessary for his graduation. He is expected to return for his next court appearance on May 29.
If convicted of mischief, he could face up to two years in prison, a fine, or both. The charge of public nuisance carries a lighter penalty, with a maximum of three months in prison, a fine, or both.
The juice vending machine operator, IJooz, filed a police report about the incident, subsequently sanitizing the dispenser and replacing all 500 straws within the machine.
It said it would upgrade its machines to include measures such as individually packaged straws and straw compartments that unlock only after the transaction is completed.
Lawyers for the teen, who is studying in a French business school in Singapore, declined to comment on the case when contacted.
Singapore, a small, densely populated city-state, tightly regulates public behavior and cleanliness. This includes restrictions like limits on chewing gum and strong penalties for littering and vandalism.
