A furious man pushed a woman and recklessly elbowed her in the eye in front of her three-year-old child, a court heard.
Omiel Gordon (23) reacted angrily after she criticised his mother while they argued in the street.
Gordon, of Murby Way, in Thorpe Astley, Leicester, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.
He was given a 12-month community sentence and was ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work. Yesterday, Judge Michael Pert QC said Gordon should also take part in a restorative justice programme, which will give him an opportunity to personally apologise to the victim.
Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the defendant had stopped in a car to speak to the woman, who he knew.
Miss Rose told Leicester Crown Court: "The woman made derogatory comments about his mother.
"He got out of the car and pushed her with both hands, causing her to fall against a shop window.
"He pulled his elbow backwards, which struck her in an eye, causing it to swell. She also had a stiff neck.
"It happened in front of her three-year-old son."
Sally Bamford, mitigating, said: "He recognises his temper is causing problems and bitterly regrets that.
"He's embarrassed, ashamed and remorseful about the fact he hit a woman."
Judge Michael Pert QC said: "It's at the bottom end of an actual bodily harm case, but this was unattractive, pushing a woman around.
"You're a big lad and thumping a woman is wholly unacceptable," the judge added.