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Mark Cropp has "Devast8" tattooed on his face, but says he now wants it removed before he gets out of prison again.
A man with "Devast8" tattooed on his face says he wants to have laser treatment to have it removed when he gets out of prison.
With encouragement from Judge David Saunders in the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday, Mark Anthony Cropp said the tattoo was his nickname, and he was 17 and drunk in a prison cell when he agreed to it.
Cropp was being sentenced on charges of assaulting a woman, presenting an imitation pistol, contravening a protection order, possession of an offensive weapon – a meat cleaver – and possession of a cannabis grinder. Defence counsel Chris Nolan said Cropp had a strong addiction to methamphetamine and other drugs, and had been the victim of a serious assault in prison that left him with impaired vision.
He said Cropp realised he could end up dead, and wanted to provide for his children and turn his life around. Nolan said Cropp needed ongoing support for his addictions, and an anger management programme.
Cropp started his offending in 2018 in Auckland when he assaulted a woman and threatened to injure her.
His pre-sentence report said he was fuelled by methamphetamine and drugs and an out-of-control life.
In April this year he breached a protection order, then was found in Palmerston North with the meat cleaver and cannabis grinder, while on bail for the previous charges.
Judge Saunders said he encouraged Cropp to continue laser treatment on his face, which could help with employment, and not embarrass his children.
He sentenced him to 10 months' prison, and said he was to be assessed for counselling, treatment, or programmes directed by his probation officer when he is released, and not to possess alcohol or drugs.
Judge Saunders ordered the destruction of the meat cleaver and the cannabis grinder.
Cropp made international headlines in 2017 when he spoke out on social media about his difficulty finding a job due to the tattoo covering half his face.
Cropp received the tattoo in prison while drunk on home brew and serving a two-year sentence for armed robbery. The ink covers half his face, and Cropp said prospective employers were put off by it.
He had previously rejected offers from the Department of Corrections to have the tattoo removed.
Auckland tattoo removal service Sacred Laser then offered to remove the tattoo for free, and he initially accepted before changing his mind.
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