Former world boxing champion John Armour is facing jail after admitting a drug conspiracy offence.

The 44-year-old, of Palmerston Road, Chatham, entered the guilty plea shortly before he was due to stand trial today with father-to-be Robert Cartmer.

Armour, who won the bantamweight world title three times between 2000 and 2002, and Cartmer, 33, of Priory Road, Gillingham, had both denied conspiracy to supply cannabis on September 7 last year.

Grant Church, 30, of Kenilworth Gardens, Hornchurch, Essex, admitted the charge on the accepted basis he was “a trusted courier”.

Armour, who having retired, set up his own fight club - Armour Plated Boxing - at his home, also denied possessing amphetamine sulphate on the same date.

That charge will be dealt with when he, Cartmer and Church, appear for sentence on Friday.

Prosecutor Walton Hornsby told a previous hearing the three were arrested following the seizure of large quantities of cannabis and cash.

Neil Guest, for Armour, said a basis of plea would be submitted that his client allowed others to store drugs.

Armour and Cartmer were granted bail until sentence with conditions of residence and not leaving the county.

Cartmer’s address was varied to allow him to stay at his girlfriend’s address in Mill Road, Gillingham.

Tom Stern, defending, said Cartmer’s girlfriend was expecting his first child.

Judge Jeremy Carey told Armour and Cartmer: “You have very belatedly - and far too late for your own good - pleaded guilty to this conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

“You should be ready for all eventualities. I will readmit you to your bail with strict conditions. It is up to you how you respond to that.”

As an amateur, the Chatham-born boxer won the 1990 Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) flyweight title.

As a professional he lifted the European Boxing Union (EBU) bantamweight title, World Boxing Union (WBU) bantamweight title and Commonwealth bantamweight title.

He was also a challenger for the World Boxing Union (WBU) super bantamweight title against Carlos Navarro.