A POSTGRADUATE researcher who denies seeking gratification from viewing women showering and at the toilet told a therapist he had a high sex drive, a court heard.

Daniel Steven John admits peering into cubicles where female students were taking showers, at St Mary’s and Trevelyan colleges, on the Durham University campus.

He also admits sneaking into female toilets at the university library to view women using the toilet.

But the 29-year-old astrophysics graduate believes he was suffering a mental breakdown at the time, in spring 2012, as his PhD project was overrunning and appeared doomed to failure.

He told Durham Crown Court he sought adrenaline rushes to lift him from depression, receiving “a buzz” from increasingly risky behaviour.

Mr John said he began by stealing colleagues’ belongings, returning them before being discovered and from visiting female toilets in the physics department, for which he was on a final warning.

Asked by defence counsel Julie Clemitson what was his motivation for such behaviour, he said it was for the excitement of doing something he knew he should not be doing.

Under cross-examination, prosecution barrister Peter Sabiston referred to general and psychiatric practitioners’ reports on Mr John at the time.

Mr John admitted telling one medical professional he believed he had “hyper-sexuality”.

Despite having a long-term girlfriend, he went on internet dating sites as well as taking part in a one-night stand with a woman he arranged to meet, although he described this experience as "unfulfilling".

Mr John said he also used university computers to access pornography, as his girlfriend was unhappy at him viewing such material at home.

Asked by Mr Sabiston: “This behaviour of going into toilet and shower blocks. Was that to satisfy such needs?”

He replied: “No”.

Mr John, of High Grange, Crook, denies three counts of voyeurism.

The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdicts in the case tomorrow (Wednesday October 16).