Footage emerges from match darts prodigy, 18, was found guilty of fixing as he’s banned for eight years
FOOTAGE of a match that darts prodigy Leighton Bennett was found guilty of fixing has emerged on social media.
The 18-year-old received an eight-year suspension after being found guilty of ten counts of rigging four games at last year’s Modus Super Series.
He also provided inside information about the matches, failed to assist in an investigation and signed a contract with an unregistered manager.
Bennett – along with fellow pro Billy Warriner – had been under investigation by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) since the competition after suspicious betting patterns were detected in his matches.
Footage of one match in question has emerged online in the wake of his verdict.
In one of the clips, taken from his meeting with Ryan Harrington, he can be seen targeting a 164 checkout.
After nailing treble 20 and treble 18, Bennett takes a moment before throwing his third arrow closer to the treble three than the bullseye.
In another, he needs a 47 checkout but after scoring a 15 his attempt at a double 16 lands way off the board.
His third attempt lands on the board but still far from the target.
Going for the 32 again, he lands straight on the 16, straight on the eight and then nowhere near the double four.
Match fixed games
At the Modus Super Series event:
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus played on 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington played on 08/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 08/09/2023
In a clip from a separate match, this time against Mindaugas Barauskas, Bennett needs a double 18 but his shot lands just outside the treble area.
As well as his ban, the 18-year-old has also been ordered to pay a fine of £8,100.23 and his tour card has been revoked.
As for Warriner, he admitted to 19 of the 21 charges against him.
He pleaded guilty to his involvement in rigging the four matches, providing insider information and organising bets on the matches.
The 23-year-old also admitted four counts of failing to assist an investigation and two counts of acting as an unregistered intermediary and betting on darts.
Additionally, Warriner was found guilty of insulting an official and threatening an opponent.
He has been banned from darts for ten years and must pay the same fine given to Bennett.
Both have until December 14 to appeal the decision.