Unhappy doc turns to prostitution

A frustrated doctor has closed his medical practice in a small northern New Zealand seaside settlement and plans to reopen his surgery as a brothel next month.

Neil Benson closed his Cooper's Beach practice last year, complaining of a lack of support from health authorities, other doctors and the community.

He has since been granted a brothel licence and plans to offer an upmarket service for tourists and locals in the town about 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Auckland.

"It's about providing a private service and maintaining confidentiality, which is what my medical practice was about - so it's not a big leap, really," Benson was quoted as saying by the Northern Advocate newspaper on Monday.

Locals were sceptical that clients would be able to maintain their confidentiality in such a small town or that there would be enough tourists to make the brothel viable.

"We are a small, family destination. We are not a place where a lot of single blokes come," said one local resident, who did not want to be named.

Another said Benson might be trying to get back at the community for not supporting his medical clinic.

First Published: Jan 30, 2006 18:59 IST