Former youth darts world champion Leighton Bennett has been suspended after suspicious betting patterns were discovered in four of his matches.

The teenager was suspended along with Billy Warriner for alleged breaches of the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) rules.

As a result of this decision, Bennett and Warriner have been barred from attending or participating in any events organized by the DRA until the hearing(s) are completed and this matter is resolved.

Both players have the right to appeal the suspension.

Bennett, 18, became the youngest ever BDO youth champion when he won the competition in 2019 at the age of 13. In the same year he defeated darts legend Phil Taylor.

He won a card for the professional PDC tour earlier this year and vowed to challenge World Championship runner-up Luke Littler.

Bennett’s suspension relates to four games he played over two days at the Modus Super Series in September 2023 against Mindaugas Barauskas (twice), Benjamin Drue-Reus and Ryan Harrington.

There is no evidence that the other players in the games in question were involved in any way.

According to the DRA, the two must answer for “a number of serious violations of the DRA rules”.

Your case will be referred to the DRA Disciplinary Committee, but a date for the formal hearing has yet to be confirmed.

It is unclear which game or games the 23-year-old Warriner’s suspension refers to.

The DRA was asked for comment.