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A teenager from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing googly eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, 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.

Officials commented at the moment of the September incident, the local council explained that CCTV footage showed a individual placing artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.

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

A day after the reported event, the local mayor stated that restoration to the popular public artwork would be expensive as the stickers were impossible to be removed without harming the art piece.

“This wilful damage to a valued community art is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in September. “It is not harmless fun, it is costly - it is also disappointing to those people of our society who have embraced the Blue Blob.”

The mayor said the council would seek the “significant” repair costs from those responsible for the vandalism.

At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it received varied responses from the local community due to its cost and appearance.

Priced at 136,000 Australian dollars ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork represents a legendary giant animal, with the creators inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.