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

The 19-year-old, 19 years old, appeared remotely at the local court in the state of South Australia on Tuesday, facing with one count of damaging property.

In a statement at the time of the recent event, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage showed a individual placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which residents have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

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

A day after the reported event, the city leader stated that restoration to the much-loved public artwork would be expensive as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be detached without damaging the art piece.

“This intentional vandalism to a valued community art is unacceptable and disrespectful,” Mayor Lynette Martin said in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is costly - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have embraced Cast in Blue.”

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

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

Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial discovered in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.