Members of Hansen's family filled the public gallery and two of his sisters read victim impact statements to the court.
Tessa Davidson said the court process had caused significant financial strain to the family due to time off work, visiting Akers Road to see where Hansen spent his last moments and numerous visits to police. She described Hansen's death as shattering and said she was in a state of disbelief his body had not been found.
She spoke of experiencing moments of uncontrollable tears and the trauma of having to tell her own children what had happened.
She finished by addressing the defendant, "I hope your conscience lets you sleep well Mr Swain".
Trudy Birchall said Hansen had grandchildren he would never see grow up. She said their family was close and had been greatly affected by her brother's death.
"Our family chain has now been broken."
She said she owed it to her brother to follow the investigation and said she "couldn't rest until she knew what had happened".
Ms Birchall acknowledged nothing would bring Hansen back and said knowing what happened in the last hours of his life had made it difficult to gain closure.
When sentencing Mr Swain Justice Brendan Brown said a minimum jail term of 14 years was needed on account of his callousness.
He said despite no clear motive being established Mr Swain had performed a "deliberate killing using a firearm on an unarmed man".
Justice Brown said Swain's conduct following the murder was cruel and gave false hope to Hansen's family.
"You are a danger to the community... you are a hardened criminal, not deterred by a long term of imprisonment."
He said Swain's attitude towards police was "confrontational" and his current offences meant previous convictions remained relative.
A probation report prepared for sentencing showed Swain continued to deny the murder and therefore found him to show no remorse.
Swain was also sentenced on seven other charges relating to the possession of explosives, cyanide, a firearm and ammunition.
As Swain was escorted from the courtroom he addressed the judge.
"Well your honour, for once I am innocent but found guilty. I am disturbed you have allowed police to lie and perjure evidence...I am very very saddened by this. How can I tell anybody where a body is if I don't know where it is."
