Brandon Vezmar, 37, said the woman left the screening after he complained about her phone use.

He filed the petition in Austin, Texas last week for $17.31, saying her behaviour was “a threat to civilised society”.

But the unnamed woman has refused to reimburse Mr Vezmar, telling the Austin American-Statesman: “This is crazy.”

“It was kind of a first date from hell,” Mr Vezmar told the newspaper.

He asked her to step outside to text, which she did.

However, she never returned.

She said: “I had my phone low and I wasn’t bothering anybody.”

The petition states: “While damages sought are modest, the principle is important as defendant’s behaviour is a threat to civilized society.”

Tim League, the cinema company’s chief executive, has said he will compensate the plaintiff with a gift certificate if he drops his lawsuit.