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A young person from Australia has faced legal proceedings after allegedly defacing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, 19 years old, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of damaging property.

In a statement at the time of the recent event, the municipal authorities explained that surveillance video showed a individual putting fake eyes on the artwork, which locals have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused made no plea and informed the judge she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the magistrate advising her to find a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in December.

A day after the reported event, the city leader said that repairs to the popular public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the art piece.

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

She added the council would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those responsible for the damage.

At the time the artwork was first proposed, it drew varied responses from the local community due to its cost and appearance.

Priced at A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the sculpture depicts a mythical megafauna, with the creators inspired by an ancient anteater-like marsupial found in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.