She rapidly descended into crime and alcoholism, and over the next few years was regularly convicted of prostitution, theft, and alcohol-related public order offences.

She married in 1906, becoming Catherine Lynch, and although her criminal activity appears to have fallen somewhat following her marriage, she continued drinking heavily.

The presiding coroner was harshly critical of her, describing her as "one of a class who were a nuisance to themselves, their husbands and everybody else" and as symptomatic of an increase in drunkenness among Swansea's women.

[8][A] In June 1904, she was described in court for the first time as a prostitute;[10] her conviction on this occasion was for the public use of obscene language,[10] an offence for which she would be repeatedly prosecuted that year.

[11] By the following year, Driscoll was descending into alcoholism, and on 20 March 1905 she was sentenced to 14 days' hard labour following repeated convictions for being drunk and disorderly.

[13][B]) Although all three were found not guilty on grounds of insufficient evidence,[19] days later Driscoll was convicted yet again of drunkenness, and sentenced to a month's imprisonment.

[26] John and Catherine Lynch subsequently moved to 6 Michael's Row in the Greenhill district of central Swansea.

[27] Catherine Lynch's descent into alcoholism and crime continued, and in June 1908 she yet again was prosecuted, on this occasion for the theft of three half-crowns (about £50 in 2025 terms[9]) from a coal miner who had been "in the woman's company".

[27] Mr. Leeder, the coroner, challenged John Lynch, advising him that he should have contacted the police and have her "put away", stating that this would have been "cheaper than allowing her to ruin the home".

[27] In line with Jones Powell's testimony, the jury returned a verdict of "death from syncope brought on by excessive drinking".