French Teen In Singapore Faces 2 Years In Prison Over Social Media Stunt

SINGAPORE – An 18-year-old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, found himself in serious legal trouble in Singapore after filming himself licking a straw and putting it back into an orange juice vending machine.

The incident took place at the Goldhill Centre on Thomson Road. Driven by a desire for quick social media attention, he posted the video online, sparking widespread public anger. Now, the teenager faces criminal charges of public nuisance and mischief, which could result in up to two years behind bars.

Maximilien, who was studying in Singapore on a student pass and living alone, recorded the stunt on his phone. He edited the short clip on Snapchat before uploading it to his Instagram Stories. He even added a mocking caption that read, “The city is not safe.”

Almost immediately, the video spread like wildfire. It was shared across local community forums and news platforms. However, instead of earning him internet fame and a loyal following, the prank caused deep shock and disgust. People were rightfully upset about the highly unhygienic act, especially in a country that prides itself on exceptional cleanliness and strict public health standards.

Swift Action and a Costly Cleanup

When iJooz, the company that operates the automated fresh orange juice machines, learned about the video, they acted right away. To ensure public safety, they immediately reported the incident to the local police.

Because of the tampering, the company had to remove and replace all 500 straws inside the dispenser. They also ran extra health checks and completely sanitized the machine to make sure it was perfectly safe for future customers. Reports show that the company later overhauled its straw-dispensing systems to prevent similar issues from happening again.

Understanding Singapore’s Charges

Singapore takes public health and order very seriously. As a result, authorities did not treat this prank as a simple joke. Maximilien was arrested and brought before a district court. He currently faces two severe charges:

Public Nuisance: This charge carries a penalty of up to three months in jail, a fine of up to $2,000 Singapore dollars (about $1,500 USD), or a combination of both.
Mischief: Because the act caused wrongful loss and damage to the vending machine company, this heavier charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, along with a potential fine.

Maximilien’s situation serves as a very harsh warning for young people and tourists trying to gain online followers through reckless behavior. What might seem like a silly prank to a teenager can quickly become a life-altering crime.

The student’s university, the well-known ESSEC Business School, has launched its own internal disciplinary review to address the situation.

Furthermore, a representative from the school had to step in to post his bail, which was set at a steep $5,000 Singapore dollars. The situation has become so serious that his parents had to drop everything and fly in from France to support him as he waits for his next official court hearing, scheduled for May 22.

Singapore is famous around the world for its strict rules regarding public conduct. From heavy fines for littering to severe punishments for property damage, the city-state enforces these laws strictly to keep a high quality of life for everyone. This case proves that tourists and international students are not exempt from the rules. As CNN recently reported, local authorities will move quickly to protect public health and safety.

Ultimately, this story is about much more than just a ruined batch of straws. It is a clear reminder that digital actions have real-world impacts. While social media often rewards outrageous behavior with quick views, the real-world cost can be a damaged future and a permanent criminal record.