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A teenager from Australia has appeared in court after reportedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a legendary being by affixing googly eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, 19 years old, appeared remotely at the local court in South Australia on that day, facing with one count of property damage.

In a statement at the moment of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage captured a individual putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and informed the court she was ill, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to find a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.

A day after the reported event, the local mayor said that restoration to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be detached without damaging the art piece.

“This wilful damage to a cherished public artwork is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have welcomed the Blue Blob.”

The mayor said the local government would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those responsible for the vandalism.

When the sculpture was initially suggested, it received mixed reactions from the area residents due to its cost and appearance.

Costing 136,000 Australian dollars ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork represents a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.