A veteran Hamilton police detective who encouraged an informant to plant a gun at a home so he could obtain a search warrant from a justice of the peace has been convicted of three criminal charges.

Superior Court Justice Catrina Braid convicted Det.-Const. Robert Hansen, 41, a 12-year veteran of the force, of one count of perjury and two counts of obstructing justice on Friday.

Hansen, who was originally charged in November 2012 and tried in November 2015, remains out of custody and on paid suspension.

The heavy-set officer with short salt-and-pepper hair left court without comment. Hansen will return May 19 for sentencing. Prosecutor Peter Scrutton indicated the Crown will seek jail time.

“I’m extremely disappointed with the assessment of my client’s evidence,” said Hansen’s lawyer, Bernard Cummins. “I will be looking very carefully at that to determine whether or not it would be reasonable to appeal.”

Cummins said it was premature to say whether Hansen’s policing career is over until a decision has been reached on a possible appeal.

The Hamilton Police Service, which laid the charges, issued a release Friday following Hansen’s conviction, saying that because there is a tribunal underway in Hansen’s case under the Police Services Act, with further charges pending, it would not comment any further on the matter.

Braid found that Hansen, who worked with the Gangs and Weapons Enforcement Unit, encouraged an informant to plant a gun in the Hamilton residence of a suspected drug trafficker who was known to police.

The judge also found Hansen committed obstruction of justice and perjury when he provided false information in a sworn document he put before a justice of the peace to obtain a search warrant for the Highridge Ave. home.

The plan to plant a gun was revealed in a series of text messages between Hansen and the informant leading up to the May 25, 2012, search.

Police failed to find a firearm at the residence.

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In her ruling, Braid said she found Hansen’s version of events “improbable and I reject his evidence outright.”

“Hansen’s evidence in chief was self-serving. He stated that he never had ‘absolute certainty’ whether the gun … even existed, “ Braid said.

Hansen testified the informant never used the words “I want to plant a gun, “ but merely suggested a set-up. He testified he thought “set-up” meant that informant would “tee-up” information regarding a gun.

“I further find that Hansen deliberately embellished the facts and intentionally omitted material facts … in (the document to support a warrant), “ Braid said.

“I find that Hansen actively encouraged (the informant) to plant a firearm in the suspect drug dealer’s home. The plant of evidence is a serious act that creates a risk that injustice will result, “ she added.

Hansen testified earlier that he wanted to get the gun off the street. He intended to pick it up during the search, but not charge the homeowner.

In a series of texts, Hansen told the informant that the suspected drug dealer “could use some jail time.” And after discussion of the plan, the detective advised “this will get him put away for several years.”

When the informant queried whether his involvement was important, Hansen texted “it would help tons. … Especially the heat.”