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A teenager from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, 19 years old, participated via phone at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on Tuesday, charged with one count of property damage.

Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the local council explained that CCTV footage showed a individual putting artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.

Ms Vanderhorst made no plea and informed the judge she was unwell, as reported by news outlets, with the judge advising her to find a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.

The following day the alleged incident, the city leader said that repairs to the much-loved community sculpture would be expensive as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be removed without damaging the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have embraced the Blue Blob.”

She added the local government would pursue the “significant” restoration expenses from those responsible for the vandalism.

At the time the artwork was initially suggested, it received mixed reactions from the local community due to its cost and appearance.

Priced at A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an prehistoric marsupial ant-eater found in nearby caverns that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.