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A young person from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly vandalizing a large art piece of a legendary being by affixing googly eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, 19 years old, participated via phone at the local court in South Australia on that day, facing with a single charge of property damage.

In a statement at the moment of the recent event, the local council explained that CCTV footage captured a individual placing artificial eyes on the artwork, which residents have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused did not enter a plea and told the judge she was ill, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to secure a lawyer before her next court date in the final month of the year.

The following day the reported event, the city leader said that repairs to the much-loved community sculpture would be expensive as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be detached without harming the sculpture.

“This wilful damage to a valued public artwork is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our community who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”

The mayor said the local government would pursue the “significant” repair costs from those responsible for the damage.

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

Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the sculpture represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.