Britney Spears' ex-manager remains under restraining order

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Los Angeles judge on Wednesday extended a restraining order against Britney Spears' former self-styled manager until July 31, under an agreement between attorneys for both sides.

The ruling means that Sam Lutfi remains barred from coming within 250 yards of the Grammy-winning pop star or her property, in keeping with the terms of the original restraining order issued by another judge in February and already extended once.

"We believe this is in the best interests of Miss Spears," her attorney, Vivian Thoreen, told Superior Court Judge Aviva K. Bobb in asking for the order.

Thoreen presented the judge with an agreement between lawyers for both sides to keep the restraining order in place.

Lutfi was not in court but his spokesman, Michael Sands, said he had agreed to extend the restraining order.

"Sam and the family are cooperating and trying to do what's best for Britney," Sands said in a statement.

In obtaining the original order, Spears' mother, Lynne Spears, accused Lutfi of drugging her daughter in order to take control of her life and finances.

Spears' father, Jamie Spears, has meanwhile taken control of her affairs under a court-ordered conservatorship as the 26-year-old entertainer's career has become buried under an avalanche of personal and health problems.