Judge denies bail to police agent Noel Harder, notes 'level of perceived entitlement' to carry loaded handgun

A Saskatoon judge ruled that, on the day of his arrest on drug and weapons charges, one-time police agent Noel Harder went from being in danger to being a danger.

Judge Natasha Crooks said it was wrong for the 39-year-old to be sitting in his SUV in a residential neighbourhood at dinnertime armed with a loaded handgun, knife, axe and mace.

"You appeared to be ready and willing to use lethal force," she said Tuesday in Saskatoon provincial court.

Harder is facing 26 drug and weapons charges in relation to the Sept. 25 incident in Saskatoon's Sutherland neighbourhood.

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A pedestrian spotted a man in the driver's seat of a Range Rover "racking" a handgun — meaning pulling back its slide to ready it to fire.

Police say they arrived to find Harder behind the wheel.

He was arrested and charged. He had a bail hearing earlier this month.

Harder's lawyer said at that hearing that Harder had an "honest but mistaken belief" that a lifetime ban on possessing prohibited or restricted weapons had expired. Further, Harder believed that his life was in danger and this justified carrying the weapons.

Judge Crooks said that this belief that he was in danger led to "a level of perceived entitlement." 

At his bail hearing, which was not subject to a publication ban, Harder said that he'd gone to meet someone about buying a used TV. He then felt a "bad vibe" and decided to arm himself.

Judge Crooks said, were that the case, Harder should have simply left, or called police.

Harder returns to court Oct. 24.