A Dorset dairy farmer who beat up a Food Standards Agency inspector during an inspection has been given a criminal record.

David Yeatman was also found guilty of two offences under food hygiene regulations by Bournemouth Magistrates Court for "intentionally obstructing and failing to provide assistance or information" to an FSA dairy hygiene inspector. He was given a 24-month conditional ­discharge and has to pay £2,832 in prosecution costs and compensation.

The incident occurred in September 2009 and came to light last week in a report by FSA chief executive Tim Smith. The FSA said its inspection programme usually required inspectors to travel and work on their own, and "sensible precautions" were taken to minimise the risks to them.

A similar incident in May 2007 at a Staffordshire dairy production holding led to a conviction and a 24-month conditional discharge.