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A young person from the Land Down Under has faced legal proceedings after allegedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a legendary being by applying plastic eyes to it.

Amelia Vanderhorst, 19 years old, participated via phone at the local court in the state of South Australia on that day, facing with one count of damaging property.

In a statement at the time of the September incident, the local council explained that surveillance video showed a individual putting fake eyes on the sculpture, which residents have nicknamed the “Blue Blob”.

Ms Vanderhorst made no plea and informed the judge she was unwell, according to news outlets, with the magistrate advising her to find a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.

A day after the alleged incident, the city leader stated that repairs to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the stickers were impossible to be detached without harming the sculpture.

“This wilful damage to a cherished community art 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 welcomed Cast in Blue.”

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

When the sculpture was initially suggested, it received varied responses from the area residents 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 sculpture’s designers influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial found in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.