🔗 Share this article

A young person from Australia has appeared in court after allegedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by applying plastic eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, 19 years old, appeared remotely at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on Tuesday, charged with one count of damaging property.

Officials commented at the time of the recent event, the local council explained that surveillance video showed a person putting artificial eyes on the sculpture, which locals have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused did not enter a plea and told the judge she was unwell, according to media sources, with the judge advising her to find a legal representative before her next court date in December.

A day after the reported event, the local mayor said that restoration to the much-loved community sculpture would be costly as the stickers were impossible to be removed without damaging the art piece.

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

The mayor added the council 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 area residents due to its cost and appearance.

Costing A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a mythical megafauna, with the creators inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in nearby caverns that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.