A repeat drug offender challenged his record of previous convictions yesterday after he was caught in an increased penalty zone with cannabis, cocaine and drug equipment.

Tamiko Wainwright, 41, of King Street, Pembroke, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to possessing drugs and scales inside 100 metres of the Happy Valley Day Care Centre nursery in Pembroke. Crown counsel Maria Sofianos listed drug convictions from 1998, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2012, which she said would “invite a custodial sentence”.

Wainwright admitted possession of cannabis, cocaine and the scales but disputed the 2009 and 2015 convictions.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo asked prosecutors to produce files on the convictions and adjourned the case to Thursday, November 30.

Earlier, the court heard that police dealing with a separate matter were at the junction of Happy Valley Road and Curving Avenue on October 10 around lunchtime.

Officers noticed Wainwright, who was sitting on a parked motorcycle, appeared nervous when approached and smelled of marijuana.

Wainwright was arrested after handing police a paper twist containing rocklike and plant-like substances.

A search revealed just over $1,000 in cash and digital scales inside his bike.

Tests on the seized material showed the twist contained 0.7g cannabis and 0.86g of cocaine.

Later analysis found the scales showed traces of heroin.

Ms Sofianos conceded the amount of drugs was “not large”.

But she told magistrate Tokunbo that the mixture of drugs, along with five similar offences on Wainwright’s record, increased the seriousness of the offence.

The Crown also requested forfeiture of the seized cash.