Britney's bodyguard: She neglected her sons

Britney Spears put her toddlers in danger, says ex-bodyguard

Britney Spears took drugs, flaunted herself naked and put her two toddlers in danger, her former bodyguard has told a Los Angeles court.

Tony Barretto said he felt compelled to speak out at her custody hearing because he was so concerned by her alleged neglect of her sons Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James.

The 25-stone minder, who rarely left the side of the pop princess until he was fired in May, made the allegations in a signed statement to the court where Britney is fighting for shared custody with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Outside court, Barretto's lawyer said he had become 'very concerned' about the safety of the children. 'Although he was reluctant to come forward and become embroiled in her custody dispute, he felt he had to because of his concerns about the children,' she said.

'He is a father of young children himself.'

There was further drama after yesterday's hearing when the star's lawyer, Laura Wasser, whose previous clients include Angelina Jolie and Stevie Wonder, announced she was standing down, the Daily Mirror reports. She refused to reveal why.

Neither Britney nor Federline were in court to hear the latest in their battle yesterday. He is thought to have initially agreed joint custody in March but changed his mind because of her battles with alcohol and drugs.

Britney, who has a £100 million fortune, has had a number of spells in rehab to try to get clean and show she is capable of looking after her children.