‘Joan’: Who Is The Real Jewel Thief And Where Is She Now?

Joan Hannington’s story begins in the shadow of an abusive upbringing in West London. She was the youngest of six children, and ran away at just 13, setting the stage for a life filled with hardship and defiance.

Her early years were marked by chaos. However, it was her marriage to Ray Pavey, a convicted armed robber, that catalyzed her descent into crime. 

Shortly after her marriage, she gave birth to her daughter, Debbie. However, social services put Debbie into foster care. Desperate to reunite with her daughter, Hannington’s life spiraled further into criminality, highlighted in the drama’s first episode.

The narrative of stealing a car to visit Debbie, alongside the shocking act of swallowing diamonds was all done in desperation to meet her daughter. All these incidents have been aptly portrayed on the show.

“So many things in that first episode in particular were absolutely straight from ripped from the real world,” show creator Anna Symon told Digitalspy. She made it clear that all of the things shown in episode one did actually happen, and none of it was dramatization.

Moreover, meeting Ronald Thomas Hannington aka as Benny Boisie, marked a turning point in Joan’s life. An antiques dealer with a criminal past, Boisie became her partner in both life and crime. He introduced her to a world of deceit and theft. The couple had a son named Benny.

Hannington’s first arrest came in 1980 when she was caught using a stolen checkbook. Her most audacious crimes involved intricate techniques, including swallowing jewels and replacing them with fakes. She claimed at one point to have hidden over £800,000 worth of gems in her garden.

“To be a woman doing that sort of thing in those days wasn’t the norm, but it was an amazing buzz,” she told The Sun.

Joan Hannington’s Journey To Redemption

Following the death of her husband Boisie, Joan Hannington confronted her past and chose a different path. The realization that money and crime did not equate to happiness motivated her to seek a life of legitimacy. “I just wanted to prove I could raise a good child in a straight world,” she stated.

In 2002, Hannington published her memoir which marked a significant milestone in her journey toward reconciliation, particularly with her daughter Debbie. Moreover, Hannington expressed hope in rekindling their bond. In recent years, Hannington has also participated in promoting the ITV drama.

At the show’s launch, she spoke candidly about her past and the impact it had on her present. “I’m not complacent about it. I’ve led a certain life,” she remarked. At 68 years of age, she conveyed a sense of amazement at how far she has come.