• A French teen was granted permission to leave Singapore despite facing criminal charges.
• The court session involved a viral video of a straw licking incident.
• He is required to remain contactable and post a bond while abroad.
• The teen faces serious charges, including public nuisance and mischief.
• His next court appearance has been rescheduled to May 29.

A French teenager, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, facing criminal charges for a straw licking stunt, was granted permission on April 29 to leave Singapore for three weeks. He aims to travel to Manila from May 2 to May 25 for an internship, which is essential for his graduation, according to his lawyer. The judge approved the request with no objections, stipulating that he must remain contactable while abroad and posted a S$5,000 (US$3,900) bond, according to Channel News Asia, Le Monde, and South China Morning Post.

The teenager, who is currently on bail, has been charged with public nuisance and mischief due to a viral video he uploaded, showing himself licking a straw and placing it back in the dispenser of an orange juice vending machine. Court documents indicate he "would or would probably cause annoyance to the public" with his actions, which led to significant backlash among Singapore's citizens, known for their strict social norms, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

If convicted of mischief, he could face a jail term of up to two years, while the public nuisance charge could result in a maximum of three months' imprisonment and a fine. Both charges stem from incidents allegedly occurring on March 12, highlighting the potential severity of the consequences for the teenager's actions, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.