A DRUG overdose taken by a Parkinson's disease sufferer to control his illness led him to rape a woman, a court was told yesterday.

Former Army sergeant Paul Parker swallowed excessive amounts of bromocriptine to help ease his debilitating condition.

But the recognised "hyper-sexuality" side effects of the drug led to him raping a woman in her home.

Divorced Parker was unable to control his sex drive when he saw the 33-year-old in her dressing gown when he made an unplanned visit to her South Shields home.

He grabbed her, dragged her to a bedroom and raped her.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that, shocked by what he had done, Parker returned to his South Shields home and tried to take his own life.

The court heard how 34-year-old Parker had an outstanding career in the Royal Engineers, but was reduced to a "pitiful physical wreck" when he was gripped by Parkinson's disease at 31 and was forced out of the Army.

He began to take bromocriptine - a drug prescribed by his GP to increase his mobility - but, as his condition worsened, he began to take excessive amounts in a bid to ease his suffering,

But the drug increased his sex drive and forced him to lose complete control last April.

Prosecuting, Mark Styles told the court: "She (the rape victim) was crying - she was desperately trying to make him stop. He dragged her into her bedroom where he made her close the curtains. She was terrified and complied."

He then raped her during a 20-minute ordeal, said Mr Styles.

Police raided Parker's flat in Norham Avenue and found him slumped on the bed. He had taken an overdose.

Defending, Christopher Knox told the court: "This was a dreadful offence and he is deeply ashamed by what has happened. He was a man of impeccable character before this. But he was destroyed by illness and the drugs he took for their therapeutic value led him to commit this offence."

Parker admitted rape. Judge David Hodson adjourned sentencing for reports.