OUTSIDERS who view York as a quaint little city which has enjoyed little excitement since the Vikings left are being forced into a reassessment.

Last month we reported how a York car salesman wooed Wallis Simpson - while she was dating the King.

And if that caddish behaviour was not enough, today we learn that alleged conman Derek Sykes (aka Derek Bond aka Robert Grant) has York connections. Until caught, he was the FBI's Most Wanted. Makes you proud.

This is not a great shock to locals, of course. York has already produced Guy Fawkes and hanged Dick Turpin. Only the most notorious criminal legends are bad enough for this city.

Updated: 10:41 Friday, February 28, 2003