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A young person from Australia has faced legal proceedings after allegedly defacing a sizable art piece of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, participated via phone at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in South Australia on that day, facing with a single charge of property damage.

Officials commented at the moment of the recent event, the local council explained that CCTV footage captured a individual putting fake eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Blue Blob”.

The accused made no plea and told the judge she was unwell, according to media sources, with the judge recommending her to find a legal representative before her next court date in the final month of the year.

A day after the reported event, the city leader said that restoration to the popular public artwork would be costly as the adhesive eyes were impossible to be detached without damaging the sculpture.

“This intentional vandalism to a valued public artwork is unacceptable and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our community who have embraced the Blue Blob.”

She said the council would pursue the “significant” restoration expenses from those accountable for the vandalism.

At the time the sculpture was first proposed, it drew mixed reactions from the local community due to its cost and appearance.

Priced at 136,000 Australian dollars ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the sculpture’s designers influenced by an ancient marsupial ant-eater discovered in nearby caverns that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.