Darts duo Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner have been handed lengthy bans for match-fixing offences relating to four separate games.
Bennett, 18, shot to stardom in 2019 when he became the youngest BDO youth champion at the age of 13.
The teenager also beat darts legend Phil Taylor that same year and was tipped for a bright future in the sport.
But the darts prodigy has now been banned from playing the sport professionally for eight years after an investigation from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) into suspicious betting activities.
The DRA suspended Bennett and Warriner in August after they were made aware of suspicious betting patterns in four of the former’s matches.
Leighton Bennett has been banned for eight years
PA
They felt both players had a ‘case to answer for a number of serious breaches to DRA rules’.
The offences related to four of Bennett’s matches during the Modus Super Series in 2023.
Both players have now been found guilty after facing a hearing last month.
“Bennett was found guilty of 10 charges for fixing the four matches, provided inside information on the matches, of failing to assist an investigation and for signing a contract with an unregistered agent,” said a DRA statement.
“Warriner admitted 19 of 21 charges for being concerned in fixing the four matches, providing inside information and organising betting on the matches, four counts of failing to assist the investigation, two counts of acting as an unregistered agent and betting on darts.
“In addition, he pleaded guilty to an unrelated incident at a darts event where he was abusive to an official and threatened his opponent.”
Bennett has also seen his contract with Target terminated with immediate effect.
The darts retailer’s statement read: “Target is deeply disappointed to learn of Leighton Bennett’s actions and fully respects the ruling imposed by the Darts Regulation Authority.
“His sponsorship contract with Target Darts has been terminated, effective immediately.
“Integrity, fairness, and respect for the game are key values to Target’s mission to build a better game for all, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding these principles.
“Darts is rooted in honour and respect, and we will continue to support initiatives that promote transparency, honesty and fairness across all levels of this great sport.”
Leighton Bennett became the youngest BDO youth champion at the age of 13 in 2019
PA
Warriner and Bennett have also been ordered to pay £8,1000 each in costs and have until December 14 to appeal.
Bennett won a PDC Tour card earlier this year and felt he was capable of leading the next generation of darts stars alongside Luke Littler.
He said: “I’d love for Luke and I to be the next big thing of darts and I genuinely believe we can be.
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Target is deeply disappointed to learn of Leighton Bennett’s actions and fully respects the ruling imposed by the Darts Regulation Authority. His sponsorship contract with Target Darts has been terminated, effective immediately.
Integrity, fairness, and respect for the game are…
— Target Darts (@TargetDarts) December 2, 2024
“At our ages we could seriously be winning titles for the next 30 years.
“I’m looking forward to battling with Luke and players like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross, who has been a mentor for me.
“I think I’ve played Luke 50 or 60 times. I’ve got a better record over him, only because I was a bit older probably.”