A police officer was viciously kicked in the head and left by the roadside at Balmoral Ridge in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on December 22 after attempting to a intercept a van driver, police said.

According to police the man was followed by a male officer at about 4.30pm and pulled over.

He then began to kick the officer in the head, despite the officer attempting to subdue the man with capsicum spray. He then choked the officer and stole his helmet before driving away, police said.

This footage shows the moments prior to the assault.

The officer was discharged from hospital suffering facial injuries. Credit: Queensland Police Service via Storyful