‘DEVAST8’ tattoo convict decides not to remove his tattoo after all because he’s ‘too busy with his new scaffolding job’
A TEEN dad with “DEVAST8” tattooed across half his face has decided not to remove his tattoo after all because he's ‘too busy with his new scaffolding job’.
New Zealander Mark Cropp, 19, shot to fame after posting on social media asking someone to give him a break and let him prove he can be responsible and hold down a full-time job after leaving prison.
Within hours he revealed he had been deluged with job opportunities and admitted he “stopped counting” when the number of offers reached 45. He started a new scaffolding role last week.
Two weeks ago he had the first part of the huge tattoo removed from his face for free at Sacred Laser in Auckland, but now he has decided not to go through with having the whole thing removed.
He told that his work was going so well that he had put further laser sessions on hold until he got used to his working hours.
He also told the publication he “doesn’t want any more [of the tattoo] removed as he just wanted a job” and now that he has a job, he just wants to stay out of the media.
Cropp got the tattoo a few months ago while drunk on home brewed alcohol with his brother in a New Zealand prison last year.
His brother, who shared his cell, used a makeshift needle and fermented food to make the ink. It took eight and a half hours to complete.
He was locked up for pulling a knife on a tourist after trying to sell him fake cannabis.
But after he finished his two-year sentence for armed robbery, Mark told how the tattoo had 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].”
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A dejected Mark told the nobody would give him a chance because of the colossal inking – which is his nickname.
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.'”
After his story went viral an Auckland company offered to remove the huge inking for free.
They have sad they are "disappointed" he has stopped the treatment, but the offer for free removal still stands if he changes his mind.
Speaking about the tattoo, Mark said: “It was only supposed to be a little tattoo down the side of my jaw but I got intoxicated.
“I fell asleep and eight and a half hours later I woke up with this.
“I liked it at the time but now it is just not my sort of thing. I don’t regret having it, but this is my changing point.”
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