A man who sold his kidney as a teenager so that he could buy an iPhone 4 is still stuck in a hospital bed 10 years later riddled with regret and fighting off dark thoughts.

The young man, who sold his kidney as a teenager in order to buy a then new iPhone 4 and an iPad 2, is set to be bedridden for life after his remaining kidney failed.

Now in his late 20s, Wang Shangkun was just a teenager when he sold one of his kidneys for RMB 22,000 (GBP 2,580).

Reports quoted him as having said at the time: “Why do I need a second kidney? One is enough.”

Despite being six feet two inches, local media recently revealed Wang spends his days in bed and relies on dialysis to survive his kidney failure.

He developed renal deficiency not long after the illegal surgery, which is believed to have led to an infection due to the unsanitary setting where it took place and the apparent lack of postoperative care.

He was also forced to give up his studies and lives on social benefits. He is now reportedly struggling with regret over his decision and dark thoughts including about taking his own life.

Nine people were arrested in connection with the case and five, including the people who harvested his kidney, and who reportedly did not have valid medical licences, were jailed in 2012.

His family was eventually awarded RMB 1.47 million (172,000 GBP) in compensation later the same year.

Reports at the time revealed that Wang desperately sought the new iPhone in order to show off to his friends.

His family, however, who live in one of China’s poorest provinces, could not afford it, so he turned to other means to raise the money.