Asafa Powell has been hauled to court by his daughter’s mother, who is pressing for the Jamaican sprint star to pay $40,000 in child maintenance monthly.
The Kingston and St Andrew Family Court reserved judgment on Thursday pending the outcome of a DNA test to determine the paternity of the seven-year-old child.
The Gleaner understands that the court also instituted a gag order.
This prevents either of the parties, Powell and Amita Persaud-Webb, from speaking publicly on the matter.
The matter was heard for the first time on Thursday.
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Persaud-Webb is being represented by attorney Michelle Thomas of Michelle Thomas & Associates.
The request for $40,000 is an increase on a former arrangement of $25,000, The Gleaner understands.
But the court outlined that it could not order an increase because of new developments surrounding paternity.
Our news team learnt that the test was requested by Powell through his attorney, Annaliesa Lindsay.
The results should be available at the next court appearance.
It is understood that the former 100m world record holder had been maintaining the child up to earlier this year.
Representatives of both Powell and Persaud-Webb both declined requests for interviews.
In child-maintenance settlements, the complainant is required to match the request being sought from the defendant.
If settled, the full maintenance of the child in this case would be $80,000 per month.
Last year, the sprinter wed Canadian model Alyshia Miller, with whom he shares a child.
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