An IT worker has said he never wants to go on a date ever again after a first date from hell ended up with him being arrested and facing a £1,200 legal bill.
The ruinous romantic rendezvous turned shockingly sour following a row over who should pay for drinks during the night out.
The 32-year-old, from Leyton in east London, said he had been put off searching for love online for life because his date refused to split the bill and expected him to pay for everything.said he has been put off searching for love online for life because his date refused to split the bill and expected him to pay for everything.
Yesterday a jury at Southwark Crown Court took just 53 minutes to clear him of theft, accepting his claim that during the furious row he took his date’s phone to get her “attention” because she became hysterical, but that he never intended to keep the device.
Now the defendant says he has been left traumatised by the disastrous date and is struggling to pay his huge legal bill.
The computer expert met the woman on the dating website Zoosk and said the evening was proceeding well while he paid for everything.
However, when he asked her to contribute towards a set of drinks, she said she had not come out with any money as she had assumed he would be paying for the entire evening.
As a result of the request, she cut the evening short and left, The Daily Mail reported.
But the furious row led to the defendant pursuing her to Charing Cross tube station demanding cash.
He told the Evening Standard he has been “struggling mentally for the last seven months,” following the emotionally scarring incident.
“I could have lost everything had I been convicted. I feel like I never want to go on a date again,” he said.
“I don’t think you can get the right person online. You don’t know who you are talking to. I mean, I ended up in court,” he warned.