A YOUNG chef who worked for Jamie Oliver has been jailed for stabbing a colleague during a drunken rage.

Alcoholic Daniel Collins, 24, plunged a kitchen knife into David Ward’s stomach during an argument outside their home in Northcote Road, Walthamstow, following an all-day drinking session.

Both men were working for the celebrity chef’s Fifteen Foundation, which helps disadvantaged young people.

Mr Ward remains in almost constant pain following three major operations, suffers from depression and had to wear a colostomy bag for 10 months.

David Radcliffe, prosecuting, told Snaresbrook Crown Court that Collins had drunk a bottle of vodka in the afternoon before meeting his friend at Mr Jack’s in St James Street, Walthamstow.

On returning home at 2am, Collins accused his friend of stealing money from him and tool a boning knife he kept in his back pocket and held it above Ward’s head.

He then plunged the blade into the victim’s stomach and when he pulled it out, part of the knife broke off.

Mr Radcliffe said: “Mr Ward ran off knowing he had been stabbed and called 999 on his mobile. He was being chased by Collins and collapsed nearby.

“Mr Ward said, ‘You’ve stabbed me.” Collins said, “What have I done?”.

Mr Ward did not initially want to cooperate with the police because the two were friends, but changed his mind when his condition deteriorated, the court heard.

Jeffrey Israel, defending, told the court that the Collins, who has previous convictions for assault and aggravated burglary, had an alcoholic mother.

He had been an alcoholic since he was 18, drinking a bottle of vodka, ten cans of lager and smoking cannabis daily, Mr Israel said.

Sentencing Collins to two years and four months in prison for unlawful wounding, Recorder Murray Shanks told him: “You stabbed a friend when you were both extremely drunk.

“It might not have been a premeditated assault, but caused grave injury and you used a serious weapon.”

Collins, of Coppice Way, Newcastle Upon Tyne, was also sentenced for 14 days for failing to turn up to the first trial.

The Fifteen foundation was started by Jamie Oliver to “inspire disadvantaged young people”, including homeless, unemployed, or those overcoming drug or alcohol problems to gain careers in the restaurant industry.