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A teenager from the Land Down Under has faced legal proceedings after reportedly vandalizing a large art piece of a mythical creature by applying plastic eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of property damage.

Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the municipal authorities said that surveillance video showed a individual placing artificial eyes on the artwork, which locals have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.

Ms Vanderhorst made no plea and informed the judge she was ill, as reported by media sources, with the magistrate advising her to find a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.

The following day the alleged incident, the local mayor said that restoration to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the stickers could not be detached without damaging the sculpture.

“This wilful damage to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those people of our community who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”

The mayor added the local government would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.

At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it drew mixed reactions from the area residents due to its cost and appearance.

Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the sculpture depicts a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers inspired by an prehistoric marsupial ant-eater found in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.