A man went out into Prestatyn High Street to protect his two sons - but a court heard that he took a hammer with him.
Mold Crown Court was told on Thursday that the hammer was not used.
David Molyneux, 48, of Nant Hall Road, Prestayn, punched out at another man who lost consciousness and suffered a fractured bone in his hand and a suspected fractured cheek.
A judge told Molyneux - who had never been in any trouble before - that he "lost it for one minute".
Judge Niclas Parry placed him on a 12 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work.
He did not order costs or compensation.
"It is quite understandable why a man would want to go out in public to defend his sons.
"What is not understandable is why a mature man of good character went to do that with a hammer," he said.
People were drunk, passers-by including females were frightened and it could have escalated into something more serious.
The defendant was under the influence of alcohol and although not intended he could easily have used the hammer.
But he had not.
It was a punch and the judge said that he accepted that there had been an element of provocation.
He had intended to defend others but "went beyond what was reasonable".
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