A CHEF waved a large cook's knife in the street at innocent people after he had been robbed at knifepoint, a court heard.

Norbert Korkowski went home after his mobile phone was stolen and returned with an eight-inch weapon of his own to confront the people he thought were responsible.

Nottingham Crown Court heard he tried to grab an innocent man, named Patrick Ring, by his throat in Sneinton Dale.

Korkowski, who works at the Living Room restaurant, then produced a large knife from behind his back.

Mr Ring, who had been walking with two friends, pushed Korkowski's hand away and asked him what his problem was, the court was told.

Mr Ring managed to escape and told his companions to get away as quickly as possible.

Sue Matthews, prosecuting, said Korkowski and another man initially turned away.

But Korkowski went back to Mr Ring's friends with the knife behind his back.

He waved the weapon at two of Mr Ring's friends and taunted one of them, Leanne Worthington, to take the knife off him.

Korkowski was arrested and admitted affray and possessing the knife on January 8.

Judge Michael Stokes QC sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for one year, and ordered him to do unpaid work for 120 hours.

Mr Stokes said: "On January 8, 2011, when you had too much to drink, you were robbed on the street at knifepoint and went home.

"Instead of leaving the matter to the police you took out one of your kitchen knives and went in search of the robbers .

"That was a foolish thing to do, particularly when you were in drink.

"The people you approached were entirely innocent and you frightened them by producing that knife and waving it about in the street."

At some point during the incident, 26-year-old Korkowski, of Woolpack Lane, Nottingham, apologised to his victims.

The court heard he is a sous chef, a role second in command in the kitchen to the main chef.

He had arrived at court fully expecting a custodial sentence and was extremely remorseful.