Britney Spears' former boyfriend, photographer Adnan Ghalib, was ordered on Wednesday to stay away from the singer and her family for three years.

Ghalib, 36, was one of a pack of paparazzi who tracked Spears day and night at the height of her high-profile personal and career meltdown in late 2007 and early 2008. He briefly dated the pop princess.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva Bobb imposed a restraining order on Ghalib until March 2012. Bobb also extended a temporary stay away order against the singer's former self-styled manager, Sam Lutfi, until April 1.

The orders require Lutfi and Ghalib to stay at least 250 yards (meters) from Spears, 27, her parents and her two young sons.

Lawyers for Spears' father Jamie, who was appointed by the court to handle the singer's personal and business affairs more than a year ago, had accused Ghalib and Lutfi of trying to undermine Jamie Spears' legal conservatorship.

Lutfi and Ghalib were Spears' companions when her life spiraled downwards and she was briefly hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation.

Spears has since made a career comeback, releasing a hit album "Circus" in December and now headlining her first concert tour in the United States since 2004.