What happened to man with 'devast8' tattoo after getting offered free laser removal surgery
It's been almost a whole decade since Kiwi criminal Mark Cropp made waves online with his tattooed face.
Back in 2017, the newly-released-from-prison teenager put out a public plea via Facebook, describing how his 'DEVAST8' ink was spoiling all employment options.
While serving 27 months for aggravated robbery, he and his cellmate (who also happened to be his brother) got tanked up on home brew made from fermented apples, bread and sugar.
"It was only supposed to be a little tattoo down the side of my jaw but I got intoxicated," he once recalled, per The Sun.
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"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."
The tattooing needle consisted of a straightened string attached to a gun made from a cassette player. Melted plastic cutlery, water and toothpaste was turned into ink.
Having come across Cropp's plight on social media, Sacred Laser technician Briar Neville gave him a way out. Cropp initially accepted her offer of free laser removal, going as far as to attend the first appointment.
"I'm excited and so grateful for it. I have been feeling quite emotional about the fact people have offered me so much help," he said.
"I have been really pleased by everything, it has all moved so much faster than how I thought it would have. It is quite overwhelming really."
The 12-stage treatment was valued at $3,000 NZD (£1,700), with Neville keen to give the ex-prisoner a 'clean slate'.
"When I read Mark's story and the discrimination he had faced it really spoke to me," she revealed. "Mark and his partner Taneia are good people. I know he has done a crime but he has done his time for it and I can feel they have goodness in their hearts."
When Cropp began a scaffolding job, though, he ducked out of the rest of the de-tattooing treatment.
Contacted by NTD about the decision to keep 'DEVAST8' emblazoned across the bottom half of his face, the dad-of-one texted back via a partner, who suggested 'he doesn't want any more removed as he just wanted a job'.
Fastforward to 2019, though, and Cropp was in trouble with the law again. This time he was sentenced to 10 months for assault, intimidating behaviour, breach of a protection order and carrying a meat cleaver 'for protection'.
During that period behind bars, he was allegedly attacked by five members of a gang who blinded Cropp in his left eye and fractured two ribs.
Then, in 2022, he reoffended with disorderly behaviour; possessing methamphetamine and cannabis, resisting arrest and failing to provide correct information following a car crash in Christchurch.
"The arresting officer attempted to grab [Cropp's] arm to place him in handcuffs and he pulled away," court documents stated. "The constable then attempted to restrain [Cropp] on the bonnet of the vehicle and he pulled away and got free.
"He ran around the vehicle and was pursued by the police officer who attempted to grab Cropp several times - but he continued to walk and run away before turning to the officer and presenting his fists in a fighting stance. The officer took his taser from his holster and [Cropp] turned to leave again. The officer managed to get hold of [Cropp], wrestle him to the ground and restrain him on his front."
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Quentin Hix encouraged the reoffender to accept help when offered it.
"You are young, so I hope you can figure out how to avoid coming back here and do stuff that you really enjoy that does not involve you getting in trouble," Hix told Cropp. "I hope you can find some help along that line if you can."
Cropp, who now lives with a pacemaker, subsequently promised to go and live with his grandmother once out of jail again.
Dan Seddon