A television psychic failed to predict a court appearance when she lied about having no criminal record on a housing form.

Jools Marquiss told Hertsmere Borough Council she had a clean slate - despite having been convicted of fraud in Teeside late last year.

Taxpayers were then forced to foot the bill after the 56-year-old was temporarily moved to hotel accommodation in both South Mimms and Borehamwood.

The deception has also scuppered her chances of being housed in the borough for the next two years.

She pleaded guilty to falsely stating she had no previous convictions and was fined £200, and ordered to pay £85 and a victims surcharge of £20.

Councillor Seamus Quilty, portfolio holder for housing and economic development, said: "It's very important that those applying to the council for housing provision do so lawfully and provide accurate statements about their backgrounds and situation so that accommodation can be allocated fairly."

Marquiss, who also goes by Sylvia Mitchell, has regularly appeared on the satellite TV show Psychic First, using the name Izzy.

She claims to have a number of celebrity clients, but at a hearing in Teesside Crown Court last September, she refused to reveal who they were.

Judge George Moorhouse heard how she asked her personal assistant to housesit but never returned - leaving the man £455 out of pocket.

She left behind a trail of debts including £254 owed to a newsagent in magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and £1,000 to a builder for gardening work.

At the time, she was found guilty of three fraud charges, and given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.