Google Street View sparks ‘horse-boy’ mystery in Aberdeen

The image was caught as the Google Street View cameras took 360 degree images of ninety five per cent of all the UK’s streets.

The strange figure with a horse’s head, purple shirt and black jeans can be seen watching the Google camera car drive past as it travelled down Hardgate in Aberdeen.

It was spotted by Aberdeen Twitter user Russell Moffat, who told his 460 followers about the unlikely passer-by. The story was quickly picked up by media around the world.

“It’s all gone a bit mental,” Mr Moffatt told his followers.

Despite appeals to reveal their identity, no-one has come forward to admit they were the man (or woman) behind the mask.

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The Street View cameras may have earlier caught the back of the “horse-boy” – showing they also have a ponytail.

Another image appears to show them putting on the horse’s head – although it is not possible to zoom in far enough to see their identity.

Google later took down the two close-up images of Horse-boy, although the character could still be seen from a distance.

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Google Street View has proved a controversial hit since its arrival in Britain in March 2009.

Critics said it invaded people’s privacy, although Google said anyone could apply to have an image taken down.

In May, the internet giant apologised after it emerged the cars taking the photographs had also mistakenly captured WiFi data from public networks in more than 30 countries.

However some images have also proved somewhat baffling hits.

When Street View images were published of Norway in February, two frogmen were shown chasing the Google camera car waving their fish spears.

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