A raging mum jumped out of her car and punched another parent in front of shocked children after a petty row boiled over.
Jade Valentine, 26, attacked the mum after a row which broke out when one child patted another's backside, Plymouth Crown Court was told.
The incident in Whitleigh was described as "pathetic" and "childish" by prosecutors.
Valentine's own child was in the back of the car, Plymouth Live reports .
Judge Paul Darlow, who handed the mum a community order with unpaid work, said: “Maybe the complainant in this case was shouting and waving her arms around but you were the instigator of the actual violence.
"This was sustained violence in the presence of several children.”
Valentine pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman causing actual bodily harm on May 16 last year.
Nick Lewin, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The background to this incident is that there was a disagreement between the two principals which, with respect to both, can best be described as childish. It was rather a pathetic incident.
“It appeared that the defendant took umbrage to something the defendant did towards her car.”
He added that the car pulled up and Valentine got out to “launch a number of punches” at the other mum.
Mr Lewin said: “She received a number of bumps and bruises to her face as a result and there was also some hair-pulling involved.”
The barrister added that she had no previous convictions.
Will Willden, representing Valentine, said: “She is extremely embarrassed about this incident.
"She is 26 years old and she has never been involved in anything of this nature before.”
He added there was a “history of difficulties” between the two women.
Judge Darlow, having read a probation report, asked: “Did it really start with one child patting the bottom of another.”
Mr Willden replied: “That appears to be the case.”
He added that “words were exchanged” between the two women.
Mr Willden said: “It was a petty argument which escalated. In my respectful submission, it is unlikely to happen again.”
The court heard that the school had taken steps to make sure the two women did not clash again during the school run.
Mr Willden said she had worked as a beautician but was now claiming benefit, while also doing voluntary work.
Judge Darlow handed Valentine a 12-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work.
She must pay £250 prosecution costs and £85 victim surcharge.
