From “Devast8” to Redemption: The Man Who Rewrote His Story
When a young father in New Zealand first appeared online, his story was met with skepticism. How could a man with a tattoo covering nearly his entire jaw expect to build a normal life, hold a steady job, and provide for his family?
The inky word scrawled across his face—Devast8—seemed like a permanent reminder of bad choices. But the truth of how it got there, and how his life later transformed, is far more complex than anyone expected.
A Reckless Night Behind Bars
Mark Cropp was serving a two-year, three-month sentence for a botched drug deal when one drunken night changed his life forever. After mixing up a potent brew of apples, bread, and sugar, he and his brother decided to tattoo his face using a crude prison-made ink of toothpaste and melted cutlery.
By morning, Mark’s lower face was permanently branded with the word “Devast8.” What was meant as a drunken dare became a decision that would follow him long after his release.
The Weight of Regret
When Mark walked out of prison, he wasn’t looking for trouble—he was desperate for a fresh start. He wanted steady work, a future for his partner, and a better life for his daughter. But the tattoo turned into a cage of its own. Employers didn’t see his determination; they only saw the aggressive scrawl across his jawline.
“I gave myself that name because I used to wreck everything,” he later admitted. “I devastated everyone close to me. But once it was done, I knew I’d gone too far. My face was swollen like a pumpkin. And I knew I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”
A Plea for Help
Unable to afford the costly process of laser removal, Mark turned to Facebook. His post wasn’t polished—it was raw. He asked for a chance at honest work, or for someone willing to help him erase the ink that was holding him back.
The internet responded. His story spread quickly, and Sacred Tattoo, a studio in Auckland, stepped forward with an extraordinary offer: they would remove the tattoo free of charge. It was the lifeline he had been waiting for.
A New Chapter
With the ink slowly fading through treatments, Mark finally began rebuilding. PR Contracting, a scaffolding company, hired him at $22 an hour. It wasn’t glamorous—but it was real, honest work. For the first time in years, he could look his family in the eye and see hope staring back.
Conclusion
Mark Cropp’s journey is a cautionary tale of how one reckless act can derail a life—but it’s also a testament to resilience, community, and the possibility of redemption.
The man once known only for the word “Devast8” on his face is now known as something else entirely: a father who fought for his second chance, and a man finally building instead of destroying.