The teenager who was spared a conviction for kicking a policeman in the head while on probation faces fresh criminal charges but a magistrate has refused to reveal the nature of the charges to the media.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, was on probation for home invasions and car theft when he kicked the police officer in the head at Highpoint Shopping Centre on Boxing Day last year.

The policeman, who was on his hands and knees arresting another teenager for suspected shoplifting, suffered bruising and swelling to his left eye.

The teenager was last week put on probation for nine months after serving a month in custody by a children's court magistrate, and was spared conviction. The sentence angered the police union.