An American father-of-two has killed himself in a Taiwan court after being given a four-year prison sentence.

English teacher Tyrel Martin Marhanka plunged a pair of scissors into his neck and severed his arteries on Thursday at the Changhua District Court, moments after a judge handed him the jail term for possessing marijuana and opium.

The married 41-year-old, who used to live in Illinois, reportedly turned to the translator, who told him the punishment, and said: 'Four years?'

American father-of-two Tyrel Martin Marhanka killed himself in a Taiwan court after being given a four-year prison sentence for drug possession. He used a pair of scissors he had separated and smuggled past guards at the building (pictured right)

The married 41-year-old cut his neck after the Changhua District Court judge handed him the jail term for possessing marijuana

The Taipei Times reported that he was then asked if he wanted to appeal the sentence, but refused.

He then got angry and shouted: 'I don’t want to live anymore,' before taking out two metal blades, according to witnesses.

Marhanka then stabbed himself on both sides of the neck, severing the arteries.

Blood was then seen gushing from his head as guards rushed to his aid, witnesses said.

He was then taken to hospital but died a short time later.

Court officials said Marhanka had smuggled in a pair of 21cm (8 inch) scissors, which he had separated into two blades.

He was arrested in April 2015 and charged with possession of marijuana and other narcotics

Marhanka is seen being led into the courtroom moments before his sentencing. He then got angry and shouted: 'I don’t want to live anymore,' before taking out two metal objects and stabbing himself

Police found more than 200 cannabis plants, 195 dried cannabis plants and 10 opium poppies at a rented house in Yongjing Township, Changhua County.

He is believed to have bought the seeds from a British website.

When arrested, he claimed he was using them for his personal use and denied selling them.

Marhanka had lived in Taiwan for more than 15 years.

He had a Taiwanese wife, who is a dancer, and two children — a son in second grade and a daughter in kindergarten — court officials said.

His neighbors told The China Post he lost his job after he was indicted and stayed home most of the time with his children.

According to online records, he once worked at a Pizza Hut while living in the United States.

He also had an Illinois real estate license.

Marhanka had lived in Taiwan for more than 15 years, and had a Taiwanese wife and two children — a son in second grade and a daughter in kindergarten — court officials said