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A teenager from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing plastic eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, aged 19, participated remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, charged with one count of property damage.

Officials commented at the time of the recent event, the municipal authorities said that CCTV footage captured a person placing fake eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.

The accused made no plea and told the judge she was ill, according to media sources, with the magistrate recommending her to secure a legal representative before her next court date in December.

A day after the reported event, the city leader stated that restoration to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the stickers could not be removed without harming the art piece.

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

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

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

Priced at A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an prehistoric anteater-like marsupial found in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.