Facebook First Date May Take Top Honors for Worst Online Date

FIRST PERSON | I've heard plenty of horror stories involving online dating. I've even experienced some of them myself, but I think it might be hard to top the latest. A 23-year-old woman in the south of Wales truly had one of the worst online dates in history, and it's thankful she lived to tell the story.

Leah Gibbs met her date, Adam Minton, on Facebook. Instead of roses and wine, Gibbs ended up spending time in a jail cell.

At the beginning of their date, Minton asked Gibbs to drive him to a nearby casino. She waited in the car while he went inside. Minutes later, he returned holding a knife and a bag full of money, screaming at her to "Drive, drive, drive," according to Herald Sun.

Gibbs had hoped the tortuous date was already over when they arrived back at Minton's house, but police had followed close behind; both were put into handcuffs and arrested. Gibbs spent the rest of their "date" alone in a jail cell until Minton finally convinced officers that she was innocent.

Gibbs stated, "It was a date from hell. I'm grateful he told the police I knew nothing of the robbery, but still bitter he involved me."

If there ever was a date from hell, that would certainly be it.

I believe online dating can be a great way to meet someone you might not have met otherwise, but it can also quickly turn into something quite frightening. In one of my not-so-great experiences, I feel lucky I got away with just a few rattled nerves; we've all heard online dating stories that have ended quite tragically.

Several years ago, I met someone online through a mutual interest, and we spoke on the phone for several days before deciding to meet for dinner. I had planned on meeting him at the restaurant, but made an error in judgement and let him pick me up instead. When we got into his truck and drove away, he proceeded to tell me that instead of going out to eat, a great way to get to know each other would be by going to the local Wal-Mart so he could pick up an auto part that he needed.

Right away I began to feel uncomfortable, but figured I would make the most of it and end the evening as quickly as possible. My date then started to tell me about his favorite hobby. He liked to collect things. His collection was an arsenal of weapons that he stored at home in case the government decided to outlaw guns.

He went on to lecture me when I told him about our football pool at work, where we all pitched in a dollar betting on who would win that week. He noticed that I have a small shamrock tattoo, and he proceeded to tell me about the evils of disfiguring my body.

Needless to say, I ended my nightmare date as diplomatically and quickly as I could, grateful to arrive home in one piece, politely declining a second experience.

Though dating horror stories might seem funny in retrospect, they are a reminder to use common sense and to get to know a person before getting into a situation we might not be able to get out of.