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

The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared via phone at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on that day, facing with one count of property damage.

Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that surveillance video showed a individual placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which residents have nicknamed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused made no plea and told the judge she was ill, according to news outlets, with the magistrate recommending her to secure a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.

A day after the reported event, the local mayor said that restoration to the popular public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be detached without damaging the art piece.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished community art is unacceptable 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 members of our society who have welcomed the Blue Blob.”

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

At the time the artwork was initially suggested, it drew mixed reactions from the local community due to its price tag and design.

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