Tony Standing pleads guilty to grooming offences involving 15-year-old girl
Judge rejects claim cocaine addiction motivated attempts to meet child at Thamesmead home
Incident → evidence → outcomeTony Standing, 46, of Thamesmead, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child following grooming, and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The charges relate to conversations with a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
Woolwich Crown Court heard the case on 10 August 2026. Standing instructed the child to perform sexual acts and provided directions to his home on Sunset Road. He offered to pay for her travel, telling her to keep any leftover money, as reported by News Shopper.
Defence request for drug assessment rejected
During the hearing, defence counsel Ylenia Rosso asked Judge Charlotte Welsh to order a drug-rehabilitation assessment. Rosso told the court Standing had admitted in his police interview that the offences were "fuelled by a cocaine addiction".
“I find any suggestion that someone has sexual communication with a child and tries to meet a child following grooming because of cocaine far-fetched in the extreme.”
Judge Welsh rejected the request. She described the claim as implausible and refused to order the assessment. Standing remains in custody at Belmarsh Prison while pre-sentence reports are prepared.
Paedophile hunters confronted Standing at home
Standing was confronted by paedophile hunters at his home on 14 June 2026. The group had posed as a 15-year-old girl during online conversations with him, according to court documents cited by News Shopper.
The court heard Standing had sent explicit instructions to the child, including details of how to reach his address. He also told her he would cover the cost of her journey.
Sentencing scheduled for next month
Standing will be sentenced in September 2026. The court has not yet set a date. Pre-sentence reports will assess factors including his background and risk to the public before the judge determines the penalty.
Questions this report answers
01What did Tony Standing plead guilty to?
Tony Standing pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child following grooming, and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences involved a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
02Why was Tony Standing’s drug assessment request rejected?
Judge Charlotte Welsh rejected the request, calling the claim that cocaine addiction motivated the offences "far-fetched in the extreme". She refused to order a drug-rehabilitation assessment during the hearing on 10 August 2026.
03Where is Tony Standing being held before sentencing?
Tony Standing is being held at Belmarsh Prison. He will remain in custody until his sentencing next month, after pre-sentence reports are completed.
04What happens next in Tony Standing’s case?
Tony Standing will be sentenced in September 2026. The court will consider pre-sentence reports before determining the penalty. A specific date for the sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
Support is available without a police report
Find London services, specialist support and the rights set out in the Victims’ Code. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Find victim supportSend a correction or case update
If a hearing, charge or outcome has changed, send the court, case number and source document so we can update the record.
Contact the desk
