Wednesday, 19 September 2007

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Judge: Britney a 'habitual' user of alcohol, drugs

Singer ordered to undergo regular testing to keep custody of her kids

Britney Spears is a "habitual, frequent and continuous" user of alcohol and controlled substances and now must undergo twice-weekly random testing, a judge in the singer's custody case ruled.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon also ruled that both Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline may not consume alcohol or non-prescription controlled substances at least 12 hours prior to being with their children.

Spears, alone, was ordered to meet with a "parenting coach" at least twice a week for a total of eight hours, according to court documents released Tuesday.

"The parenting coach is to observe (Spears's) interaction with the minor children and her parenting skills," the Commissioner wrote. The coach will provide lawyers on both sides with written reports, and will appear in court at the ex-couple's next hearing on Nov. 26.

Both Spears and Federline have also been ordered to complete a program called "Parenting Without Conflict," and must enroll by the end of the week. They must attend joint co-parenting counseling, and both sides must decide on selection of a therapist by week's end.

The commissioner also ruled that both sides are not allowed to use corporal punishment on the kids, and must refrain from making "derogatory remarks" about each other and their families.

The ruling was handed down in Spears's increasingly bitter custody dispute with Federline over their sons Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1. On Monday, a former bodyguard of the singer showed in court to testify about Spears's drug use, but the court chose to not to hear his testimony.

Still, the judge said, that "based on the evidence presented, the court finds that there is a habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol by (Spears)." He didn't say what that evidence was.

Despite the extensive orders, Spears and Federline's current custody arrangement of 50-50 has not changed, the documents and attorneys for both sides confirm.

Federline, however, is seeking primary physical custody of the two children.

The ruling was the latest blow to Spears, whose career comeback was stalled by a disappointing performance at the Video Music Awards. On Monday, her manager and her lawyer both quit.

By Ken Lee