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A teenager from Australia has faced legal proceedings after reportedly defacing a large art piece of a mythical creature by affixing plastic eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, 19 years old, participated remotely at the local court in South Australia on Tuesday, facing with one count of damaging property.

Officials commented at the moment of the recent event, the municipal authorities explained that surveillance video captured a person placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and informed the judge she was ill, according to news outlets, with the magistrate recommending her to find a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in December.

A day after the alleged incident, the local mayor said that restoration to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished public artwork is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our society who have welcomed the Blue Blob.”

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

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

Priced at A$136,000 (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; £68,000), the sculpture represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an ancient anteater-like marsupial discovered in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.