Britney turned up four and a half hours late to yesterday's custodial hearing. Commissioner Scott Gordon was not amused as he was rather eager to "quiz" her regarding the unceremonious meltdown two weeks ago. He can't do anything too harsh about the no-show; Britney was not "ordered" to be present in court, therefore no charges can be pressed. "But I thought she was only four and a half hours late" I hear you muse... Well, she managed to make it out of the 4x4 which also contained her current sidekick, but was then overcome by the paparazzi mob and had to retreat to the vehicle. Her lawyers gained access to the car and tried persuading her to venture inside the courthouse but she refused. According to The Sun: "She was 'strongly advised' to attend. She was told this hearing could be her only hope of getting visitation rights to her children back before their full custody trial in April." Until then, she will not be granted visitation rights for at least a month. Kevin Federline and his lawyer Mark Kaplan both managed to turn up on time and, at the end of the hearing, the latter said: "There is no joyous feeling. This is grave situation for everyone. At some point, it is Mister Federline's hope to parent the minor children with particiation from the mother." Britney is obviously suffering from severe anxiety which many people will know is extremely debilitating. The most banal of situations can induce panic, never mind a throng of baying journalists undulating against your car. In my experience, however, it would rarely make you nigh five hours late for life-changing meetings. Then again, everyone's different. Her late night drug store tour might have contributed to the tardiness. The Sun adds Britney paid no less than four pharmacies a visit at 1am that morning, with Adnan leading her around informing photographers "We're ready for some sleep." Yep, we're also ready for some intervention, you leech.