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A young person from Australia has appeared in court after reportedly vandalizing a sizable blue sculpture of a legendary being by affixing googly eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared remotely at the local court in the state of South Australia on that day, charged with a single charge of property damage.

Officials commented at the moment of the recent event, the municipal authorities said that CCTV footage captured a person putting artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.

Ms Vanderhorst made no plea and told the judge she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the magistrate recommending her to find a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in December.

A day after the alleged incident, the local mayor stated that restoration to the popular public artwork would be costly as the stickers could not be removed without harming the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished public artwork is unacceptable and disrespectful,” Mayor Lynette Martin said in September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our society who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”

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

At the time the artwork was initially suggested, it drew varied responses from the area residents due to its cost and appearance.

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