SpringHeeledJack,
Profile corruption on OS X is rare, but it does occasionally happen (normally if you've a fair bit of software installed and you've done upgrades to newer versions of OS X)
Fortunatley for you, OS X is BSD based (although I admit, the following concept can be used in Windows too !).....
Simples.... now you have a working profile.....
(a) For your files and general clutter, just give your new user permission to access your old user's home directory then you can continue to access that like you would any other folder......
1/ Apple-N
2/ Apple-Shift-G goto "/Users" (no quotes)
3/ Apple-I on the folder corresponding to your old user
4/ Add your new user to the sharing & permissions list and give yourself full (read & write users)
5/ Close the info window
6/ Drag the folder to the shortcuts bar on the left for ease of access in the future
(b) For you safari bookmarks.....
1/ File -> Export bookmarks on your old user
2/ File -> Import bookmarks on your new user