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French student faces charges after viral video
An 18-year-old French national has been formally charged in Singapore with mischief and public nuisance after a video surfaced showing him licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and returning it to the dispenser.
Incident details
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien allegedly performed the act on 12 March at a shopping center in Singapore. He later posted the footage as an Instagram Story, captioning it "city is not safe," according to local media reports.
The clip quickly spread online, drawing widespread criticism and prompting the vending machine operator, iJooz, to replace all 500 straws in the affected machine.
Company and public reaction
iJooz confirmed to Channel News Asia (CNA) that it filed a police report and implemented enhanced sanitation measures across its machines following the incident.
Many social media users expressed disgust at the video, which was reposted on community pages and covered by local news outlets.
Legal consequences
If convicted on both charges, Maximilien could face up to two years in jail and substantial fines. His next court appearance is scheduled for 22 May.
School and family response
Maximilien is a student at the Singapore campus of ESSEC Business School. A school spokesperson told media that internal investigations were underway.
His lawyers informed CNA that his parents had traveled to Singapore and that a school representative would act as his bailor.
