Evilg:nickb800: I eased up the screws holding the socket in question and shone a torch in there - yup only two wires connected to the socket, both black, and no sign of a third (earth) wire in the wall cavity (no flush box, was just screwed into wood panelling). Definitely getting the sparky around now, im starting to wonder if they even used mains cabling for that outlet or if it was just low voltage figure-8 cable!
Sounds like fun... electricians of previous decades are notorious for the number 8 fencing wire and "she'll be right" attitude.... you would not believe the things I have seen!
Good job checking it out, and yes, a good electrician is certainly needed at this point.
I think you mean people who think they can do electrical work, but are not electricians, see lots of results of home owners who give it a go and screw it up badly!