Teen who licked iJooz straw and returned it to vending machine gets S$600 fine

A teenager has been fined S$600 (US$465) in Singapore for public nuisance after a video showed him licking a straw and returning it to a vending machine. The 19-year-old French national, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, pleaded guilty to the charge on Thursday, July 30.

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I understand that ICA will make that decision having regard to all relevant considerations including circumstances of the case and the outcome of today's proceedings.

The incident occurred on March 12 when Maximilien, after purchasing a drink from an iJooz vending machine, took a straw, licked a portion of it, and placed it back into the dispenser while filming himself. He later uploaded the footage to Instagram. The prosecution stated that this act led iJooz to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser, costing S$5.

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The contaminated straw was not used by anyone.

Both the prosecution and the defense agreed that a fine was an appropriate sentence, considering Maximilien's age and the circumstances. Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew noted that the fine would suffice, leaving the exact amount to the court's discretion. The defense lawyer, Kalidass Murugaiyan, mentioned that probation or community-based sentences were considered but logistical difficulties with guardianship in Singapore made them less feasible.

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Unfortunately, he made the decision to share it within his Instagram circle ... someone in his circle, within his Instagram circle of contacts, had taken a screen video of it and forwarded it to a media outlet and that's how it went viral.

Murugaiyan emphasized that the contaminated straw was not used by anyone else and that the video's viral spread was due to someone within Maximilien's Instagram circle forwarding it to media outlets. He conveyed that Maximilien is truly sorry for the trouble caused, recognizing the significant consequences of his actions, which he initially perceived as playful. His family has counseled him on taking responsibility, and they intend to ensure the fine is paid.

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He's truly sorry for having caused all this trouble and he realises that what appeared to him at that time as something perhaps playful has turned out to be something very consequential and his family has also counselled him on the importance of taking responsibility for his actions.