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A TEENAGE dad whose face is half-covered by a tattoo saying 'DEVAST8' has spoken out about his difficulty getting a job.

19-year-old Mark Cropp got the tattoo a few months ago while drunk on home brewed alcohol with his brother in a New  Zealand prison last year.

 Mark Cropp got the massive tattoo while he was in prison
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Mark Cropp got the massive tattoo while he was in prisonCredit: Facebook
 The teenager is now struggling to find work and blames the tattoo
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The teenager is now struggling to find work and blames the tattooCredit: Facebook

He was locked up for pulling a knife on a tourist after trying to sell him fake cannabis.

But now he's finished his two-year sentence for armed robbery, Mark says the tattoo has impacted his job prospects.

He took to Facebook looking for work, writing on an Auckland-based jobs page: "Hey im keen as to work but have one thing that is stoping me and thats my tattoo on my face [sic],"

"Keen as on job or work place that will take me on [sic]."

A dejected Mark told the nobody will give him a chance because of the colossal inking - which he insists is not gang-related.

He said: "One employment place said to me: "I wouldn't employ you with that on you face, I wouldn't even take a second look at you.

 The young dad has been praised for putting himself out there on Facebook
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The young dad has been praised for putting himself out there on FacebookCredit: Facebook

"I've had other people that just shrugged and laughed at me."

But the tattoo was received more positively on Facebook, where users commended Mark for getting his name out there - with some offering make-up tips for covering up the tattoo and others even connecting him to potential employers.

One wrote: "We all do dumb things, but I bet you're one of the hardest worker's an employer could ever need!"

And another added: "Goodluck brutha hope someone out there gives you the opportunity, good on you for putting yourself out there! [sic]"


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