Click here to watch a video report of the court hearing

Britney Spears failed to regain visiting rights to her two young sons after a chaotic Los Angeles custody hearing last night.

The singer missed the morning session of yesterday’s hearing arriving in the afternoon, only to leave before entering the building. Reports suggest the singer refused to enter the court room after becoming intimidated by the paparazzi.

"Move back. I'm scared. Stop it. Stop it. I want to get back in the car. Just stop it. Let me get in the car, please," Spears is reported to have told photographers before driving away in a 4 x 4 vehicle.

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While neither Spears, 26, nor her former husband Kevin Federline, 29, were required to be in court for the hearing, the singer’s presence was considered key to her chances of regaining access to her children. Federline, sporting a new Mohawk hair style, was in court.

Spears had all access to her sons suspended after she refused to hand Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, over to Federline following a visit on January 3.

Police were called after the singer locked herself in a room with one of the boys. After a four-hour stand-off, she was strapped to a stretcher and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Behind closed doors, Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon yesterday heard a full day of testimony concerning the incident.

Allan Parachini, a spokesman for the court, said two Los Angeles police officers, Paula Strong, the court-appointed monitor who was present for the visit at Spears' home, and Lisa Hacker, a parenting coach who has been working with Spears and Federline testified. Lonnie Jones, Federline’s bodyguard who had been sent to collect the children on January 3 also gave evidence.

After ruling that the children should remain in the custody of Federline, the court commissioner set another hearing for February 19.

Outside court, Mark Vincent Kaplan, Federline's lawyer, said: "The word victory is not something Mr Federline or his counsel would ascribe to this. There is no joy. This is a grave situation for all."

Mr Kaplan said that Federline thought the ruling was correct, but added: "His goal, his hope for the future is at some point he will be able to parent the children with the participation of their mother."

Spears has also missed previous court hearings, including a court-ordered deposition on December 12 when she called in sick. She then arrived nearly two hours late to a lawyer's office on its rescheduled date, January 3.

The child star turned chart-topping singer has made headlines for her increasingly erratic behaviour since her marriage to Federline ended in late 2006. Last year, she shaved her head, attacked a car with an umbrella and used a designer dresses to clean up vomit while on a magazine photoshoot.

Her music career has survived the turmoil. Her latest album, Blackout, has won critical acclaim and new track, Piece of Me, is at number 17 on the UK singles chart.

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