French Teen Fined in Singapore for Licking Straw

A 19-year-old French student was fined $465 in Singapore for licking a straw from a drink dispenser and returning it, an act that went viral online. The court showed no leniency despite his apologies.

30 Jul, 02:54 — 30 Jul, 09:00

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Why this matters

This story highlights Singapore's strict laws regarding public order and cleanliness, which often surprise international visitors. The incident gained viral attention due to the nature of the prank and the severity of the legal consequences, serving as a cautionary tale about cultural and legal differences.

Key entitiesDidier Gaspard Owen Maximilien Singapore Singapore court

The Story

What 25 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

A 19-year-old French student was fined in Singapore for licking a straw from a vending machine and returning it.
The student filmed the act and posted it online, leading to his arrest.
He was charged with public nuisance and pleaded guilty.
The fine imposed was S$600, equivalent to approximately 406-465 euros/US dollars.

Key claims6 agreed

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The French student is 19 years old.

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The student was fined S$600.

agreed·myjoyonlineVnExpress24urhindustan-timesexpress-tribune+2

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The fine is equivalent to approximately 406 euros.

agreed·observadornos24urdie-presse

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The student was charged with public nuisance.

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The student pleaded guilty to the charge.

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The student avoided a prison sentence.

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Coverage gaps

The specific name of the French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien

Reportedle-mondele-figaroindex-hr

Missingobservadorrzeczpospolitatvn24+16

The potential for further consequences for the student's right to remain in Singapore

ReportedDW

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The student's lawyers stating he was 'truly sorry'

ReportedBBC

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (92/100)

25 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 4/5 buckets covered25/33

Far L1

Far Left (1)

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Left9

Left (9)

tvn24hvgirish-timesle-monderte-newsyle-uutisetDWindex-hr+1 more

Center8

Center (8)

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Right7

Right (7)

observadorrzeczpospolitachannel-news-asiasvenska-dagbladethindustan-timesdie-pressele-figaro

Far R

Geographic diversity— 20 regions34/34

Poland2Ireland2France2Austria2Sweden2Portugal1Singapore1DR Congo1Hungary1Ghana1Vietnam1Netherlands1Finland1Slovenia1Germany1India1Croatia1Pakistan1Hong Kong1UK1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

aftonbladet

tvn24

hvg

irish-times

le-monde

index-hr

rte-news

yle-uutiset

bbc

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myjoyonline

orf

vnexpress

nos

24ur

express-tribune

scmp

channel-news-asia

hindustan-times

observador

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die-presse

le-figaro

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

aftonbladetcenter-leftleftneutral—brief, factual reporting of the fine

tvn24center-leftcenter-leftcautious—emphasized regret and potential ongoing issues

hvgcenter-leftcenter-left

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely factual and descriptive across outlets, focusing on the legal outcome of the incident without significant political framing or commentary.

Sources

Showing 10 of 25 sources

BBCHigh26d ago

Singapore fines French teen $465 for viral straw-licking stunt

The 19-year-old was "truly sorry" for causing trouble, his lawyers said.

Read full article →

le-mondeHigh25d ago

French teen fined in Singapore 'straw licking' case

Nineteen-year-old Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien was arrested in Singapore after posting a video of himself licking a straw before putting it back into an orange juice vending machine.

Read full article →

DWHigh25d ago

French student fined over Singapore straw licking prank

A social media stunt involving a single straw has left a French student facing a hefty fine — and possible consequences for his right to remain in Singapore.

Read full article →

SCMPMostly Factual26d ago

Singapore court fines French teenager US$465 for viral straw-licking prank

A French teenager who posted a video of himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine in Singapore was fined S$600 (US$465) for public nuisance on Thursday. The clip had gone viral after someone in his Instagram circle recorded it and forwarded the footage to a media outlet, the defence said. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, with a second charge of mischief taken into consideration. On March 12, Maximilien attended a...

By CNA

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irish-timesHigh25d ago

Teen ‘misinterpreted’ girl’s request for help and had sex with her, court heard

Boy is to serve a year’s detention for defilement of 16-year-old girl

By Isabel Hayes

Read full article →

hindustan-timesMostly Factual25d ago

French student fined $465 for licking vending machine straw before putting it back in Singapore

A French student in Singapore was fined S$600 after pleading guilty to filming himself licking a vending machine straw for social media.

Read full article →

rte-newsMostly Factual25d ago

French teen fined in Singapore 'straw licking' case

A French teenager has been fined in Singapore after pleading guilty to a public nuisance charge for a straw-licking stunt that landed him in hot water in the city state.

Read full article →

express-tribuneMostly Factual26d ago

French teen fined in Singapore 'straw licking' case

French teen fined S$600 after viral video showed him returning a licked straw to a juice dispenser

By AFP

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VnExpressMixed25d ago

Student fined for straw-licking stunt in Singapore

A French student was fined 600 Singapore dollars (US$465) after pleading guilty Thursday to a public nuisance charge in Singapore for filming himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and putting it back in what lawyers described as a social media stunt.

Read full article →

myjoyonlineMixed25d ago

Singapore fines French teen $465 for viral straw-licking stunt

A Singapore court has fined a French student S$600 ($465; £348) for licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and putting it back into its dispenser.

By Emmanuel Tetteh

Read full article →