A straw-licking prank that ricocheted across social media has ended with a French teenager being fined in Singapore, where authorities are known for a tough line on public hygiene and order. Prosecutors supported the defence request for a fine, describing the case as being at the “lower end” of seriousness. They acknowledged that the act compromised hygiene but noted that no one from the public used the straw and there “was no evidence of harm”. Earlier, defence counsel Kalidass Murugaiyan urged the court to impose a fine rather than probation, arguing it was the most practical outcome. Singapore has a reputation for taking a firm approach to public stunts and disruptions.