franse tiener lijkt rietje in singapore en riskiert jaren cel
Singapore, maandag, 27 april 2026.
een 18-jarige franse student riskeert tot twee jaar cel in singapore omdat hij aan een rietje likte en het terugstak in een ijooz-sinaasappelsapautomaat. het incident vond plaats op 12 maart in goldhill centre. hij filmt de actie en plaatst het via snapchat op instagram. de video ging snel viraal en trok nationale aandacht. ijooz moest alle 500 rietjes in de automaat vervangen vanwege hygiëne. het bedrijf diende aangifte uit angst voor gezondheidsrisico’s en financiële schade. hij wordt vervolgd voor misdrijf en verstoren van de openbare orde. de hoorzitting is gepland op 22 mei. zijn school essec business school volgt de zaak.
incident in singapore triggers legal action
In Singapore, an 18-year-old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, faces criminal charges after licking a straw from an iJooz orange juice vending machine and returning it. The event occurred on March 12 at Goldhill Centre on Thomson Road around 2 p.m. He recorded the act, edited it using Snapchat, and shared it on Instagram. Authorities allege he knew the post could cause public annoyance. The video quickly spread online, drawing widespread criticism and prompting legal proceedings [1][2][3].
charges and potential penalties
Maximilien is charged with two offenses under Singapore law: mischief and public nuisance. The public nuisance charge stems from posting the video, which authorities say disrupted public order. It carries a maximum sentence of three months in prison and a fine of up to S$2,000. The more serious mischief charge relates to causing financial harm to iJooz, which had to replace all 500 straws in the machine. That offense risks up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine if proven [2][4].
business impact and hygiene concerns
Following the incident, iJooz removed and replaced all 500 straws from the affected vending machine. The company stated this action was necessary due to health and sanitation concerns. They feared reputational and financial damage from potential contamination. iJooz filed a police report citing probable wrongful loss caused by the act. The cost of replacement was estimated at S$5 per straw, totaling 2500, though official figures remain undisclosed. Sanitation protocols have since been strengthened across their network [2][4].
legal process and institutional response
At the initial court appearance, Maximilien was represented by lawyers Kalidass Murugaiyan and Kanthan Raghavendra. He did not enter a plea during the hearing. Bail was set at S$5,000. A representative from ESSEC Business School, where Maximilien studies, acted as his bailor. The school confirmed awareness of the situation and stated internal reviews are underway. His parents traveled to Singapore to support him ahead of the next hearing scheduled for May 22 [4].