Stun gun 'never used on Michael Jackson's kids'

A lawyer for Michael Jackson's mother said today the late singer's children were never exposed to a stun gun sent to the family's home.

Adam Streisand said child services workers were investigating, but the stun gun, ordered by one of Jermaine Jackson's teenage sons, was confiscated before any harm was done.

He said the weapon was not used on any of the late pop superstar's three young children and only Michael Jackson's oldest son, Prince, saw the stun gun after it was taken by security.

Mr Streisand says one of Jermaine Jackson's sons had ordered the stun gun online and tested it out on a piece of paper.

Jackson's mother Katherine is the guardian of Michael's three children, aged from eight to 13. The 50-year-old singer died last June.

Mr Streisand said the weapon was ordered by 13-year-old Jafar Jackson and sent to the family home in the Encino neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Jermaine Jackson's children also live in the home.

"Jafar opened the package in his bathroom and tested it on a piece of paper," Mr Streisand said. He said security and Katherine Jackson heard the sound and confiscated the weapon immediately.

He said Michael Jackson's oldest son Prince saw the stun gun after it was taken by security.

"Blanket Jackson never saw or heard the Taser," Mr Streisand said. "Neither did Paris Jackson. Prince saw the Taser in possession of security."

Mr Streisand said child services workers had not provided him or Katherine Jackson with an update on the agency's inquiry.

"All of the kids are happy, healthy and wonderful, and that is Mrs Jackson's only objective and concern," Mr Streisand said.

Prince Michael and Paris are the children of Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, who was granted some visitation with them after the singer's death. The identity of Blanket's mother has never been revealed.

As part of an agreement between Rowe and Katherine Jackson, a child psychologist was required to structure visits and monitor the children.

Katherine Jackson was initially granted more than £57,000 a month to pay for the family home and care for Michael Jackson's children, but that allowance was recently increased. The current amount has not been publicly disclosed.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has oversight of Katherine Jackson's guardianship of the children and has praised her in open court.