A convicted drug pusher was jailed for two years last week after he admitted he had cannabis resin in his pocket while near a primary school.

And Garrett Dennis Morgan's previous criminal record indicated he was a frequent visitor to the increased penalty zone near Paget Primary on Ord Road.

He was previously convicted of possession with intent to supply in 1998 and had a suspended sentence hanging over his head for possessing cannabis with intent to supply last year.

Yesterday Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner imprisoned the 29-year-old after he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin.

Morgan, of 61 Middle Road, Paget, said he was in the Ord Road area to talk to his friends, who hang out near the school, at about 9.40 p.m. on September 9 last year when plain clothes and uniformed Police officers swooped on the area and detained several people.

Police searchers discovered a small foil wrap containing a dark brown rock-like substance in Morgan's pocket. The substance was found to be 0.41 of cannabis resin.

Mr. Warner said: "You are a convicted drug pusher and you were convicted of possession of drugs with intent to supply in an increased penalty zone -- a school, a primary school.'' And he asked: "And why go back hang out with friends in front of that school with drugs again?'' Mr. Warner said: "If people like you hang around the schools and playgrounds, you will be dealt with.

"The circumstances I've looked at, the record with regard to the suspended sentence, the maximum penalty this Section 6(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act is 12 months.

"I give you 12 months for simple possession. I do this knowing that simple possession normally charges a fine. Of course, there is a discretionary 12 months.

"In this case I'm going to impose it and I'm going to activate the 12 month prison sentence you had (in September).

"Smoke as much as you want and ruin your life. Don't take it around people's schools,'' Mr. Warner warned before making the sentences consecutive.