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A teenager from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a sizable blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing plastic eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, aged 19, appeared remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of damaging property.

In a statement at the moment of the recent event, the local council said that surveillance video captured a individual placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which residents have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.

The accused did not enter a plea and told the court she was unwell, according to news outlets, with the magistrate recommending her to secure a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in December.

The following day the reported event, the city leader said that repairs to the much-loved public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” Mayor Lynette Martin said in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those people of our society who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”

The mayor said the council would pursue the “significant” restoration expenses from those accountable for the vandalism.

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

Costing A$136,000 (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; £68,000), the sculpture represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial found in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.