Father and son sentenced for carrying out illegal gas work

• Wayne Culliss got his son teenage Kazys to carry out boiler-replacement work despite the fact he wasn’t qualified to do so
• The work carried out was dangerous and resulted in a gas leak
• The lives of tenants – including a baby – were put at risk

A father and son have been sentenced after illegal gas work in a home in Stoke-on-Trent caused a leak that put the lives of those living there – including a baby – at risk.

Wayne Culliss, 55, had subcontracted boiler replacement work to his then 18-year-old son Kazys, despite the fact he wasn’t qualified or registered with Gas Safe to do so. The pair, of Boot Street in Whittington, pleaded guilty to offences after being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The investigation by the HSE found that a British Gas engineer had attended a rental property in Hanley on 1 December 2023. This followed a report made by the tenant that the gas boiler was hissing and leaking cold water. The boiler was found to be dangerous and taken out of use, prompting the landlord to contact Wayne Culliss. He was a landlord himself, who also helped with the management of the property and he arranged for a new one to be installed.

Culliss Snr subcontracted the job to his son, Kazys, now 21, who carried out the illegal work on 9 January 2024. However, when another British Gas engineer inspected the boiler two weeks later as part of a Gas Safety Check, he could smell gas so immediately isolated the supply. After completing a gas tightness test, he identified a leak in the system, prompting him to cap off the supply. Gas leaks can have deadly consequences and the lives of the tenants, who also had a young baby, had been put at risk by the dangerous work carried out by Culliss.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require those undertaking gas work to be Gas Safe Registered, and to hold qualifications to demonstrate their competency to undertake gas work.

Kazys Culliss of Boot Street, Whittington, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and must complete 140 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs at a hearing at Wrexham Magistrates Court on 21 July 2026.

Wayne Culliss, also of Boot Street, Whittington, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs.

HSE Inspector Rob Gidman said:

“The work carried out by Kazys Culliss, under the instruction of his father, Wayne, was reckless and put people at risk of serious harm.

“Gas work must only ever be undertaken by Gas Safe Registered engineers and HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those who disregard this and put people at risk.

“I would appeal to anyone who is getting gas work done on their home to always ask to see the identification of who come out to do it. They should also check their registration number online to ensure it is valid.

“It only takes a couple of minutes but can keep you and your loved ones safe.”

Gas engineers and consumers can contact the Gas Safe Register in any of these ways:

• Gas Safe Register
• Phone – Consumers : 0800 408 5500; Engineers : 0800 408 5577
• Email – [email protected]

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Tiger and paralegal officer Lynne Thomas. The investigation was supported by Sarah Ough and Natalka Heath, HSE Visiting Officers.

Further information:

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
• More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
• Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
• Relevant guidance can be found here: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) as amended. Approved Code of Practice and guidance – HSE.
• HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here .