French teen to plead guilty next month over viral straw-licking video in Singapore

A French teenager will enter a guilty plea next month over a viral social media stunt that saw him lick a straw and return it to a vending machine dispenser in Singapore, a district court heard on Friday (Jun 26).

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, who turned 19 on Thursday, is facing two criminal charges over a video he uploaded to Instagram on 12 March showing him licking a straw before placing it back into the dispenser of an iJooz orange juice vending machine.

According to CNA, his lawyer told the court that Maximilien — who was not present at the hearing — would enter a plea on the afternoon of 13 July. Court documents indicate the case has been fixed for a guilty plea.

Maximilien, who is studying in Singapore, remains out on bail.

The first charge, public nuisance, alleges he uploaded the video knowing it "would or would probably cause annoyance to the public." A conviction carries a jail term of up to three months, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.

The second charge, mischief, alleges he knew he was "likely to cause wrongful loss or damage" to iJooz, which had to replace all 500 straws in the affected dispenser. That offence carries up to two years in jail, a fine, or both.

The clip went viral and sparked a public backlash before leading to his arrest.

In late April, the court permitted Maximilien to leave Singapore for a three-week internship in Manila — a requirement for his graduation. He has since returned.