French Teen Faces Jail in Singapore Over Vending Machine Prank

An 18-year-old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, has been charged in Singapore after allegedly licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and placing it back into the dispenser. The act, which was recorded and shared on Instagram, quickly went viral and sparked widespread backlash online due to hygiene concerns.

The vending machine company, iJooz, responded by replacing all 500 straws in the affected machine and filing a police report. Authorities have charged Maximilien with committing mischief and public nuisance, offences that could result in a jail term of over two years along with substantial fines if he is found guilty.

The incident reportedly occurred on 12 March at a shopping centre in Singapore. Maximilien, who studies at the Singapore campus of Essec Business School, is currently out on bail, with his parents travelling to Singapore to support him. His case is scheduled to be heard again in court on 22 May.

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