VISITORS to a North Yorkshire brothel have been urged to get tested for sexually transmitted infections.

The public health warning was issued by North Yorkshire Police following the sentencing of Scarborough brothel boss Natwlai Beck, 48, known as Netty.

Beck pleaded guilty to running the brothel at her San Sabai Thai massage parlour in Albermarle Crescent, and was sentenced at York Crown Court on Thursday, April 7, to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of community work and pay a victim surcharge of £100.

Police discovered Beck and another Thai woman were charging for sexual favours on top of legitimate massage services, and between August 18 and November 27, 2014, about 72 sexual acts were believed to have taken place on the premises including full sex, oral sex and masturbation. She was arrested on November 27, 2014, charged on May 22 last year, and admitted the charges on June 22, 2015.

Detective Inspector Glenn Kelly, of the Scarborough and Ryedale Serious Crime Team, said Beck had resorted to prostitution "as a way to earn extra money to fund a gambling problem and to live on following the split with her husband".

He said male clients who had been identified during the investigation had been advised by Public Health England to seek medical attention to guard against the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Det Insp Kelly said: "We believe there were a number of other men who possibly engaged in sexual activity at the San Sabai massage parlour on Albermarle Crescent in Scarborough. To minimise the risk, our strong advice is to refer themselves to a sexual health clinic or their GP for a sexual health check-up as soon as possible."

*To find out more about getting tested, see your GP, phone 01904 721111 to make an appointment at a sexual health clinic in Scarborough, York, Malton or Whitby, or go to yorsexualhealth.org.uk