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A teenager from Australia has faced legal proceedings after reportedly defacing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing googly eyes to it.

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

In a statement at the time of the recent event, the municipal authorities said that surveillance video showed a individual putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which residents have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused made no plea and informed the judge she was unwell, according to news outlets, with the magistrate recommending her to find a lawyer before her next court date in December.

A day after the reported event, the local mayor stated that restoration to the much-loved public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be detached without damaging the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a valued community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in mid-September. “It is not harmless fun, it is costly - it is also frustrating to those people of our community who have embraced Cast in Blue.”

She added the local government would seek the “significant” repair costs from those responsible for the damage.

At the time the artwork was initially suggested, 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; sixty-eight thousand pounds), the artwork represents a mythical megafauna, with the creators inspired by an prehistoric anteater-like marsupial found in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.