A teenage father with ‘DEVAST8’ tattooed across his face is ‘waiting for the right job offer’ after his desperate plea for work went viral – and he has revealed he will be getting the jailhouse ink lasered off.
Mark Cropp, 19, from New Zealand, took to social media on Wednesday afternoon to beg someone to look past his criminal convictions and heavily-tattooed face and give him a chance at work.
Within hours he had been inundated with job offers and said he had ‘stopped counting when he reached 45’.
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Mark ‘Devast8’ Cropp (pictured) has revealed that he has turned down 45 job offers since his story went viral
The 19-year-old (pictured) had taken to social media in frustration that his face tattoos were preventing him from finding work
But he told Daily Mail Australia he still hadn’t ‘done a day’s work’.
‘I am just waiting for the right one to come about,’ he said.
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Some of the jobs required him to have his own car – he clarified – but he will need help getting to the work site.
‘Until I get my first paycheck and get a car I won’t be able to get myself around,’ he said.
The former criminal revealed he will be getting the artwork – designed by his brother after a night of drinking home brew in jail – removed as soon as possible.
‘A week before I got out I taped a picture of my face to the inside of an envelope so my partner could see it – she was devastated – but now she likes it and can’t see me without it,’ Cropp (pictured, right) said
Man with DEVAST8 tattoo speaks about trying to get a job
‘I am just working out a date to get it taken off – which sucks because it is going to hurt,’ he said.
‘And because, you know, this tattoo means something to me and my brother did it for me so it is hard to make the decision to get rid of it.
‘But I know it is the best thing for my future – and I want to be a person my family can look to for support.’
The artwork was designed to make him ‘look tough’ when he landed in jail following a long string of violent behaviour.
This image shows Cropp (pictured) before the face tattoo which made him go viral on social media
‘And because, you know, this tattoo means something to me and my brother did it for me so it is hard to make the decision to get rid of it,’ he said
Mark and girlfriend Taneia Ruki got together a year before he was sent to prison
It was meant to be a ‘little one along the jawline,’ but the pair got carried away after drinking home brew made from fermented apples, sugar and bread.
‘I went into jail with four tattoos and I came out with a full body suit,’ he said.
But the face tattoo was the biggest shock to his family.
‘A week before I got out I taped a picture of my face to the inside of an envelope so my partner could see it – she was devastated – but now she likes it and can’t see me without it.’
DEVAST8 happens to be the 19-year-old’s nickname.
Mark Cropp (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia he is still waiting for the right job to come along
Cropp (pictured) says the face tattoo was supposed to be small but he and his brother got carried away after drinking homebrew
‘I was going through a rough patch’: Teen with DEVAST8 jail tattoo
‘I would end up devastating everyone I met or got close to.
‘They would be disappointed with something I had done or said – I was always hearing “that’s devastating”,’ he said.
But he hopes the devastating chapters of his life are over – erased along with the ink on his face.
‘I have learnt from my mistake,’ he said.
‘I still don’t think people should be judged by the tattoos on their face – but I know it will keep happening unless I do something about it.’
Before his final desperate plea on Facebook the teenager said people had ‘laughed in (his) face’ when he had asked for work.
The tattoo was drawn with a homemade gun which used a needle made from the spring of a pen and powered by a cassette player.
Plastic knives and forks are burnt to a black plastic powder and mixed with toothpaste and water to create the ink.
The teenager has been out of jail for two weeks.
Mark has also been offered laser therapy to remove the tattoo and will have his first session on Tuesday (pictured right with partner)
The New Zealander (pictured) has been out of jail for two weeks and says he has learnt from his mistake
Incredible Rescue: Hero Dog Saves Lives and Gets a Second Chance
Do you think canines can truly be heroes? Introducing Ivy, an 18-year-old terrier mix who showed that she possesses a brave and loving heart. When Ivy first arrived on June 2 at the Smith County Animal Shelter in Texas, she had no idea that her deeds would make her a true hero dog.
Dogs can donate blood to help those in need, just like people can. Because of her blood type, Ivy can donate blood to anyone, which makes her a priceless asset to the shelter. She generously gave blood, saving the lives of several canines in critical need of transfusions. Ivy is a dog who is certainly worth praising because of her bravery and compassion.
But in spite of her noble deeds, Ivy was put in a terrible predicament. She was in danger of dying since no one wanted to adopt her. That’s correct, this incredible hero dog was just a few minutes away from being put to sleep. It’s unbelievable that Ivy met with such a terrible end after sparing so many lives.
Nevertheless, Ivy’s story made it to the local news station CBS19 because of the perseverance and kindness of Pearl Wittholt, a volunteer with Saving Animals from Euthanasia in Texas. Pearl aspired to rescue Ivy’s life and give her the second chance she so richly earned with the help of the community and the media.
CBS19 has already volunteered to support a hero dog. They already told the tale of Stanford, a different blood-donating dog who met a similar end, earlier this year. The community came together to save Stanford, and he was adopted. Pearl believed that Ivy could experience the same thing.
And indeed, miracles do occur! The media attention paid off, as CBS19 revealed an encouraging update: Ivy had found her forever home. This brave dog was saved from death and given the opportunity to live out her last years in a loving home because of the amazing support of the community.
However, the tale is not over yet. Three more heroic canines are currently at the Smith County Animal Shelter, waiting for their permanent homes, as reported by CBS19. It’s our chance to prevent these courageous dogs from suffering the same destiny that Ivy just barely avoided. These dogs continue to save lives. Together, let’s think about giving these amazing heroes access to our homes and hearts.
There should never be a chance that a dog, particularly one who has saved so many lives, will be put down. The touching relationship people have with their animal companions is brought to light by Ivy’s narrative. She is safe and sound in her new home, which is nice, but more needs to be done.
Let’s tell everyone about this amazing news of Ivy’s second chance. By working together, we can improve the lives of these heroic canines and make sure they receive the affection and attention they need.
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