Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, an 18-year-old French student at ESSEC Business School, is facing court in Singapore for allegedly licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine at Goldhill Centre on or around March 12 and then returning it to the dispenser [1, 2, 3, 4]. He recorded himself licking the straw and uploaded the video clip on social media, where it quickly went viral, drawing widespread shock and concern among online users [1, 2, 3, 4].
Following the incident, iJooz replaced all 500 drinking straws in the affected dispenser as a precautionary measure [1, 2, 3, 4]. On April 24, Maximilien was formally charged in court with mischief and being a public nuisance [1, 2, 3, 4]. The charge of mischief carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in jail, a fine, or both. The public nuisance charge carries a maximum penalty of three months jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both [1, 2, 3, 4].
Although charged, Maximilien was permitted to leave Singapore in May to attend a school-required graduation trip to the Philippines from May 2 to 25. His defence lawyer, Kanthan Raghavendra, stated that "the trip was a requirement for him to graduate" [1].
Maximilien has since returned to Singapore and his court case has been adjourned to June 26, when he will next appear in court [1, 2, 3, 4].
Timeline: - March 12: Viral video posted online [1, 2, 3, 4] - April 24: Charged in court with mischief and public nuisance [1, 2, 3, 4] - May 2–25: School trip to Philippines allowed [1, 2, 3, 4] - June 26: Court case adjourned to this date [1, 2, 3, 4]
The case continues as the court awaits the next hearing on June 26.
