Robert Boon – who is completely blind in one eye and can see only shadows in the other – totalled a whopping 61,000 points by throwing darts for 10 hours at the event in Devon.
But the 50-year-old was left cursing the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune when an anonymous informant told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that he was too good to be blind. He was subsequently asked to attend a meeting to explain his prowess at the oche.
Mr Boon said he was the victim of a “malicious” complaint and that the repetitive action of throwing a dart enabled him to maintain a degree of accuracy. “I played darts when I was younger and even if I was blindfolded I could still hit the board. I’ve been victimised. I’m absolutely fuming,” he explained to the BBC.
“I feel humiliated,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “I don’t think it is right to report me when I have tried to do something good. I rang the hospital to get my medical records on my eye condition. I don’t see why people should put me down. I feel really intimidated now.”
The DWP has since confirmed that it does not intend to cut Mr Boon’s benefits. The darts marathon – which took place at a coffee shop in Paignton – was among a series of events organised by Mr Boon. A comedy night is in the pipeline, and despite his ‘arrowing experience he still hopes to raise £10,000 for the training of two guide dog puppies. “I know what it’s like to have a guide dog – it’s incredibly important,” he told the Beeb.