A CHRIST Church College chef threatened to knife a bouncer outside a city nightclub after a staff Christmas party descended into chaos.

The 'talented' kitchen staffer at the Oxford University college was spared jail yesterday for the drunken rage outside the city's Kiss Bar earlier this month.

Dean Lewis had already admitted one count of threatening a person with a blade in a public place.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing yesterday how the 28-year-old of Falcon Close, Oxford, was enjoying a staff Christmas party on the night of January 10.

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Outlining the case prosecutor Julian Lynch said that the incident took place while in the early hours of the following morning outside Kiss Bar, Park End Street, Oxford.

Lewis, who was drunk, was outside the bar when he tried to get back inside.

A member of the door staff, Emeka Collins, refused him entry due to his state of intoxication, and it was that refusal which proved the spark for the violent outburst.

Lewis first 'became upset' before he started hurling verbal abuse at the security staff, calling Mr Collins a 'd***head' and 'an idiot.'

It was then that Lewis pulled out what was described as a 'lock knife' with a six cm blade, which he held up to his waist.

He went on to threaten Mr Collins that he would stab him.

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The police were called and Lewis ran off, while more door staff decided to follow him until officers arrived.

He was eventually arrested and the knife he had used to threaten the bouncer was found in his pocket.

During his police interview Lewis claimed that he could remember little about the night because of the amount of alcohol he had drunk.

Lewis went on to say that he had 'found the knife in a toilet cubicle and picked it up.'

Mr Lynch added: "He didn't know why he didn't give it to staff, he said maybe because he was drunk, he said he had no recollection of making a threat to the door staff."

The court also heard yesterday that Lewis has a number of previous convictions including for the possession of a bladed article and wounding.

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In mitigation his defence barrister James Reilly said that his steward at Christ Church College had sent a glowing reference for Lewis.

He was described as a 'hard working and talent young chef'.

Mr Reilly added that his client had been out that night for the work's Christmas party and said 'he isn't someone who drinks regularly.'

He went on to say that since the offence he has attended Alcoholics Anonymous and has not drank any alcohol.

He said: "This is a blip, he has realised that, he has pleaded guilty, he has shown remorse."

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC ordered a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years.

Lewis was also told to complete two programmes to tackle his offending and must obey a two-month curfew.