Teen who licked iJooz straw and returned it to vending machine gets S$600 fine

BOTH SIDES CALL FOR FINE

The prosecution was in agreement with the defence that a fine was suitable.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew, who took over the case from a state prosecuting officer, said a fine would suffice because of Maximilien’s youth and the circumstances of the case.

He left the quantum to the court’s discretion.

The previous hearing had been adjourned for the prosecution to check the status of Maximilien’s student pass on conviction.

“I understand that ICA will make that decision having regard to all relevant considerations including circumstances of the case and the outcome of today’s proceedings,” said Mr Chew.

He added that the prosecution’s sentencing position is therefore independent of the outcome of Maximilien’s student pass.

Defence lawyer Kalidass Murugaiyan said the defence had considered pushing for probation or a community-based sentence.

However, the family has trouble getting someone to be a guardian for him in Singapore, as his father is working in France, so there will be logistical difficulties for him to be on probation.

“The contaminated straw was not used by anyone,” said the lawyer. 

“Unfortunately, he made the decision to share it within his Instagram circle … someone in his circle, within his Instagram circle of contacts, had taken a screen video of it and forwarded it to a media outlet and that’s how it went viral.”

He said this was to explain how it became something that “may have caused public disquiet”.

“He’s truly sorry for having caused all this trouble and he realises that what appeared to him at that time as something perhaps playful has turned out to be something very consequential and his family has also counselled him on the importance of taking responsibility for his actions,” said Mr Murugaiyan.

He said the teenager’s parents have “every intention” of ensuring he pays the fine.

District Judge Kelly Ho said probation or other community-based sentences should ordinarily be the port of call given Maximilien’s age and the nature and circumstances of the case.

However, given the practical and logistical difficulties, she agreed a fine was suitable and agreed with the figure submitted by the defence.

The prosecution did not seek a compensation order.

For public nuisance, he could have been jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.