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A teenager from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after reportedly defacing a sizable art piece of a mythical creature by applying plastic eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared via phone 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 CCTV footage captured a individual putting fake eyes on the artwork, which locals have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and informed the judge she was unwell, as reported by media sources, with the judge recommending her to secure a lawyer before her next court date in December.

The following day the reported event, the city leader said that repairs to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the stickers could not be detached without damaging the art piece.

“This intentional vandalism to a valued 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 disappointing to those members of our society who have embraced Cast in Blue.”

She said the local government would pursue the “substantial” restoration expenses from those responsible for the damage.

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

Priced at A$136,000 (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; £68,000), the artwork represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater discovered in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.