Court thins term for 'megarexic'

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Bodybuilder Justin Rys, whose jail sentence has been cut from 10 and a half to 7 and a half years, has a mental disorder called megarexia that means he sees his bulging muscles as puny.

A psychiatrist's report about the disorder was given to the Court of Appeal judges who yesterday reduced the former Mr New Zealand's term, meaning he will first be eligible for parole in July next year.

Rys, of Waikanae, had pleaded guilty to importing the class B drug fantasy over a 15-month period, in amounts thought to be worth at least $600,000 and perhaps up to $2 million, to use himself and to sell.

He appealed against the 10 and a half year term on the grounds that it was excessive, especially given new evidence about his physical and mental state.

The court accepted the sentencing judge had started his calculation for the term too high, resulting in a "crushing" end sentence for Rys.

It said the new psychiatric evidence was more important than the heart condition to the sentence appeal.

Rys became hooked on fantasy when it was legal.

In 2002 it was made illegal but Rys continued to use it for purposes that included reducing pain while exercising.

Psychiatrist Dr Tony Marks had said Rys' drug crimes were largely the result of his untreated and unrecognised "muscle dysmorphia" known as megarexia.

His disorder was the catalyst for the drug addiction, Dr Marks said.

"Mr Rys maintains a delusion that he is small and tiny, when physical appearances suggest the contrary," the Court of Appeal said.

Cardiologist Professor Stewart Mann said Rys's heart was also damaged, almost certainly because of his use of anabolic steroids and other drugs he used to help his body building.

Rys' lawyer Christopher Stevenson said the effect of the evidence was that Rys may die in prison and will probably only live for five to 10 years more.

However, the Court of Appeal said his condition seemed to have stabilised, perhaps because he did not have access to drugs in prison.

Rys' drug counsellor Roger Brooking wrote that Rimutaka Prison recorded Rys as having raised cholesterol levels, breathlessness and dietary problems in 2006.

- © Fairfax NZ News