Mark Cropp, a 19-year-old father from New Zealand, made headlines when he posted a desperate plea for work on social media. With the word ‘DEVAST8’ tattooed across his face, Cropp asked employers to look beyond his criminal past and give him a chance. Within hours, he received an overwhelming response and has reportedly turned down 45 job offers since then.
However, Cropp explained that he is still waiting for the right opportunity to come along. Some of the offers required him to have his own car, which he currently doesn’t have. Despite the numerous job offers, Cropp has yet to start working. He remains hopeful for the perfect job that suits his circumstances.
‘We live in Britain’s unhappiest town – There are pickpockets,’ Cropp humorously mentioned. Transportation is his current hurdle, but he is determined to get his first paycheck and buy a car to help him commute to work.
Cropp’s face tattoo, designed by his brother during their time in jail, holds sentimental value for him. However, he has decided to remove it to ensure a better future for himself and his family. Although he anticipates the pain of tattoo removal, Cropp believes it is the right decision.
The tattoo was initially meant to be a small one along his jawline, but things got out of hand during a night of drinking homemade brew. Cropp went into jail with four tattoos but emerged with a full-body suit. The face tattoo came as a shock to his partner, who initially disliked it but now can’t imagine him without it.
The nickname ‘DEVAST8’ was given to Cropp as a reflection of the challenging chapters in his life. He acknowledges that his past behavior caused disappointment to those around him. However, he is determined to leave his past behind and learn from his mistakes.
Cropp hopes that by removing his face tattoo, he can put his past actions behind him and move forward to a brighter future. He believes that people should not judge others based on their tattoos but understands that unless he takes action, he will continue to face discrimination.
Before his viral plea, Cropp faced ridicule and rejection when he asked for employment opportunities. His face tattoo, created using a homemade gun, signified a turning point in his life. Cropp used a needle made from a pen spring and a cassette player to power the tattoo gun. The ink was made by burning plastic utensils, mixing the powder with toothpaste and water.
Since his release from jail two weeks ago, Cropp has been offered laser therapy to remove the tattoo. He is scheduled to have his first session soon. The young New Zealander remains optimistic and committed to learning from his mistakes and creating a positive future for himself and his loved ones.
