Suicide-watch Britney loses her kids...then goes to the tanning salon

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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• Britney failed to undergo drug tests

• She didn't attend counselling or parenting classes

• She broke judge's ban on driving without a licence

• Her children now in custody of ex-husband Kevin Federline

Family and friends fear that a judge's decision to award custody of Britney Spears's two sons to their father, Kevin Federline, will drive her to suicide.

But in keeping with much of her bizarre behaviour of late - the singer's first reaction was to make an trip to the tanning salon.

Britney's mother Lynne Spears is reported to be extremely concerned about the star's mental state, with one source adding: "We are all fearing for Britney and this will be the final straw for her."

Still, it was business as usual for troubled Britney and the first stop on the singer's agenda - after surrendering her boys Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James to their father Kevin's bodyguard - was a tan top up at Epitome, her favourite Bel Air salon.

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Fears for Britney: Her mother is worried she will harm herself - but Britney's reaction to losing custody of her children was somewhat milder - she headed to the tanning salon

The singer seen yesterday afternoon hours after losing her children. It was reported she had dinner at restaurant Nobu in Malibu

The singer seen yesterday afternoon hours after losing her children. It was reported she had dinner at restaurant Nobu in Malibu

Afterwards she checked in to the Peninsula Hotel. But, as she made her way inside, two photographers got into a fight - which seemed to amuse the giggling singer.

Then, Britney paid a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Van Nuys, California, where she finally applied for a driving licence and took a written test.

The singer still has a valid licence in her home state of Louisiana, but since she has been an LA resident for years, she is required by law to get a Californian licence.

Jan Mendoza, information officer at the Department of Motor Vehicles explained: "When you make your home here, or take a job and you want to drive in California, you must apply for a California driver licence within 10 days. Britney is considered an unlicensed driver in California."

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Yesterday afternoon an emotionless Britney seen just after she learnt she had lost custody of her children

Yesterday afternoon an emotionless Britney seen just after she learnt she had lost custody of her children

Britney with her sons: The singer was seen driving around with her boys on Saturday despite being banned by the judge until she obtained a licence. On Monday Federline was awarded full custody

Last Friday, Commissioner Gordon banned both Spears and Federline from driving the children unless they had a valid California driver's licence. But on the weekend, Britney was allegedly seen driving her two children around LA without a valid licence.

She was already being investigated for the alleged hit-and-run and for driving without a licence in August, offences for which she was warned she faced up to a year in prison.

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Peace sign: Britney failed to adhere to any of the judge's orders which included drugs testing, attending parent classes and not driving without a licence

New York divorce lawyer Raoul Felder said: "She was driving without a licence with a child in the car."

"You can put aside the in and out of rehab, the shaving her head. But this? When a judge went out on a limb for her? There's no going back."

Federline's lawyer immediately went to an LA court and on Monday the judge ordered the singer's ex-husband to take charge of Sean Preston, two and one-year-old Jayden James from midday until further notice.

Watch the final video of Britney with her children before she lost custody here

The order from LA County Superior Court judge Scott Gordon comes after Britney, 25, ignored the Commissioner's list of requirements of things she needed to do in order to maintain 50/50 custody.

She has failed to obey any of the other demands laid down by the judge: she didn't meet a drug counsellor; she refused to submit to drug testing; she didn't enrol in parenting classes; and she failed to sign the judge's order.

The judge also banned either parent from taking drugs or drinking up to 12 hours before caring for the boys.

According to celebrity website TMZ, Britney failed to meet any of the judges requirements.

The judge said Federline, an aspiring rapper, was to "retain physical custody of the minor children until further order of the court".

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Home sweet home: The children arrived at father Kevin Federline's mansion in Tarzana after being collected from Britney by a bodyguard

Home sweet home: The children arrived at father Kevin Federline's mansion in Tarzana after being collected from Britney by a bodyguard

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Order: The court papers handing custody to Federline 'until further order of the Court'

Order: The court papers handing custody to Federline 'until further order of the Court'

Stumble: Britney nearly drops Sean Preston

Her attorney, Sorrell Trope, told People magazine: "We weren't able to prove compliance with what the judge ordered. Specifically the judge ordered that by 10am Monday morning, both parties show valid California driving licenses. I've been unable to produce evidence of that."

The attorney added that another reason behind the s temporary custody ruling was "a claim by Mr Federline's attorney that she had not complied with a previous order the court had made about having a random drug and alcohol test. There's no evidence that she actually failed a test."

Britney has faced a barrage of criticism over her high-profile lifestyle, including court allegations that she was a "habitual and continuous" user of drink and drugs.

Last month a former aide told a hearing of the extent of Britney's drug abuse.

Her ex-bodyguard Tony Barretto, 27, claimed the singer had overdosed on a mixture of Class A drugs hours before her comeback performance in May and just weeks after leaving rehab.

Mr Barretto said Britney had taken cocaine and crystal meth with fellow troubled U.S. pop star Howie Day - with whom she was rumoured to have had a fling - and was "completely out of it. She was distraught, crying and looked so ill. We thought she was dying."

She later performed in Anaheim, California, but the gig was branded a shambles.

Britney was charged last month for allegedly crashing into a parked car and shortly afterward was seen in floods of tears after taking a drugs test ordered by the court.

The incident followed a disastrous week in which her lawyer and manager quit because they could not cope with her erratic behaviour.

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Emotional: Britney breaks down in tears on a day out in Los Angeles

Mr Barretto said: "Britney is out of control and needs help. She is not a good mother and has mental problems.

"With her drug and booze issues, her home is no place for children to be raised."

Federline, 29, has been embroiled in an increasingly bitter custody battle with the former Mickey Mouse Club star since their tumultuous two-year marriage ended last November.

He is initially thought to have agreed to share custody but demanded full care conditions - backed by Britney's mother - after the revelations, which were the latest in a series of damaging incidents for the star.

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Meltdown: Britney shaved her head in February before seeking help in rehab

Meltdown: Britney shaved her head in February before seeking help in rehab

Criticised: Britney's 'comeback' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards back-fired

Most infamously there was her public meltdown in February this year when she shaved her head.

After several subsequent stints in rehab, she was hoping to make a career comeback last month at the MTV music awards in Las Vegas.

Instead she left onlookers open-mouthed as, out of time to the music and in bad shape, she shuffled about the stage.

Critics described it as "painful and embarrassing" and a "train wreck".

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Lost love: Britney with Federline before they split

Britney's parenting skills and emotional state were called into question early last year when she was pictured driving with Sean Preston - then just five months old - on her lap.

A couple of months later, she attracted fierce criticism for nearly dropping him on the pavement as she tried to keep hold of a tumbler of drink in her other hand.

Damning: Former bodyguard Tony Barretto, pictured with the singer and her assistant Alli Sims (left), told a hearing of the extent of Britney's drug abuse

Damning: Former bodyguard Tony Barretto, pictured with the singer and her assistant Alli Sims (left), told a hearing of the extent of Britney's drug abuse

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