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A young person from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after allegedly defacing a sizable blue sculpture of a legendary being by applying googly eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, charged with one count of property damage.

Officials commented at the moment of the recent event, the municipal authorities explained that surveillance video showed a person putting artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and told the court she was ill, according to news outlets, with the judge advising her to find a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in December.

The following day the alleged incident, the city leader stated that repairs to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be removed without damaging the art piece.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished public artwork is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in September. “It is not harmless fun, it is pricey - it is also disappointing to those members of our community who have embraced the Blue Blob.”

The mayor added the council would seek the “substantial” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.

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

Priced at A$136,000 ($89,000; sixty-eight thousand pounds), the sculpture depicts a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.