Singapore court postpones French teen’s straw-licking case to July 30
SINGAPORE (AP) — The trial of a French teenager accused of filming himself licking a straw from a vending machine and then putting it back was postponed Monday as prosecutors sought to clarify whether he could continue his work if convicted.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, was expected to plead guilty to charges of mischief and public nuisance. Proceedings were halted after prosecutors asked for more time to check whether the teenager’s student card would be canceled in the event of conviction.
The court postponed the case to July 30.
Maximilien allegedly committed the crime at a shopping mall on March 12. Collected on April 24 It spread rapidly after the video he posted on social media. While out on bail, he continued to study at a business school in Singapore.
Mischief carries a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine or both, while public nuisance is less severe with a prison sentence of up to three months or a fine or both.
IJooz, the company that operates the juice vending machine, filed a criminal complaint with the police regarding the prank. He sterilized the dispenser while replacing all 500 straws in the machine. The company said it will improve its machines to include measures such as individually packaged straws and straw compartments that are unlocked only after the process is complete.
Singapore, a small, densely populated city-state, tightly regulates public behavior and cleanliness. This includes restrictions such as limits on chewing gum and harsh penalties for littering and vandalism.
