i actually found out a few things, but all but one are not even slightly interesting outside of my own personal world.
The one that is, is that John Venables (he of the sticking batteries up the arse of poor james bulger infamy) was living in my town for the last 10 years of his shitty life (including where he was holed up under custody) until having to move out to stay at her majesty's pleasure in wakefield due to liking photos of young children too much.
shame you find out about these things after the event. I could have lit a torch, bought a pitchfork and would have been happy to mobilise a mob.