world
Singapore Court Postpones French Teen’s Vending-Machine Case to July 30
A Singapore court adjourned the case of a 19-year-old French national charged with mischief and public nuisance after he filmed himself licking a straw from a vending machine and returning it. Prosecutors requested more time to determine whether a conviction would affect the teen’s student pass.
Jul 13, 4:33 AM·1m read2 sources
winnipegfreepress.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
A Singapore court on Monday postponed the case of a 19-year-old French national charged with mischief and public nuisance after he filmed himself licking a straw from a vending machine and returning it. The teen, identified in court records as Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, was widely expected to plead guilty.
Proceedings were halted after prosecutors asked for additional time to check whether a conviction would lead to revocation of his student pass. The court adjourned the matter until July 30.
Background of the incident The alleged offense occurred at a shopping mall on March 12. The teen was charged on April 24 after the video he posted on social media spread rapidly. He has remained out on bail and continued attending a business school in Singapore.
Mischief carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine, or both. Public nuisance is punishable by up to three months in prison, a fine, or both. The company operating the juice vending machine filed a police report and replaced all 500 straws after sanitizing the dispenser.
It has stated it will upgrade machines to include individually packaged straws and compartments that unlock only after a transaction. Singapore maintains strict rules on public cleanliness and behavior, including limits on chewing gum and penalties for littering and vandalism.
