A probationary police officer has been pepper-sprayed while arresting a violent thug at a pub in Sydney’s south yesterday.

A man got into an argument with bar staff before allegedly pouring a beer over a woman and then smashing the glass on a man’s head.

He fled the scene before security staff or police could get to him and managed to escape.

The 24-year-old man returned to the venue on Sunday afternoon with staff immediately calling police.

As they arrived, he fled through the venue and out into the carpark out the back.

A male probationary constable was waiting for him and managed to stop him.

As he tried to place the man under arrest, the man allegedly grabbed the officer’s capsicum spray from his vest and used it on him.

A member of the public helped detain the 24-year-old who was placed under arrest and taken to Kogarah Police Station.

He’s been refused bail and charged with multiple offences, including assaulting police, breaching bail and breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order.

He will face court today.

President of the NSW Police Association Tony King tells Mark Levy it’s just the latest in a string of alleged assaults against police.

“It’s happening so often these days. When you look at it, there are on average almost 50 assaults on police officers every week.

“It’s totally unacceptable and it’s time that one, the politicians stood up and really supported the police, and two, the courts start handing out some decent sentences here to really show that this is unacceptable.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview