Inuvik (Jan 24/05) - Inuvik's response to the conviction and sentencing of former MLA Roger Allen was straightforward.

"No comment," said the majority of townspeople asked.

Reasons varied from being unaware of or tired of the story, to being personal relations of the disgraced former MLA. Even Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson chose to remain tight-lipped.

The one-time justice minister was sentenced Jan. 20 to four months in jail for sexual assault, capping the "fall from grace" for a man who had been one of the most popular figures in the NWT.

Allen stood, hands clasped at his waist, while territorial court Chief Judge Michel Bourassa announced the sentence in a Yellowknife courtroom.

"Anyone who aspires to public office or holds themselves up as a role model should act accordingly," said Bourassa. "Those who are unable to control themselves will have to prepare for a long fall from grace."

For those who were willing to talk, Allen's conviction came with some relief.

"That's great," said Joanna Sorochan. "I think justice has prevailed."

Mike Lindsay felt the four-month sentence was too lenient for a sexual assault charge and denounced Allen for being a poor example of a politician, saying he would take a closer look at candidates in the future.

"If you're gonna do the crime, you've gotta do the time," Lindsay said.

When it comes to Allen's stint in his cell, Shannon Rioux hopes the former justice minister will be housed in general population and doesn't receive any special treatment.

"He did the crime and should be treated like other criminals," Rioux said.

She said the conviction struck her particularly hard because she has a one-year-old daughter.

"I'm very disappointed with him. I voted for him," she said. "It's kind of hard to deal with."

After sentencing, Allen was taken to the North Slave Correction Centre for classification, said Bill Pogson, director of corrections. Officials will perform a "risk assessment" early this week to determine where Allen should serve his time, but in all likelihood he will be placed in general population, said Pogson.

Allen can apply for early release after serving one-sixth of his sentence, said a spokesperson with the territorial Department of Justice.

Bourassa found Allen guilty of sexual assault following 10 hours of sometimes-sensational testimony on Wednesday.

His accuser said Allen grabbed her breasts and genitals during an encounter in an Inuvik hotel room on May 19, 2004.

A married father of four, Allen steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

Allen's lawyer lobbied for a conditional sentence which would allow Allen to serve his time under house arrest in Peace River, Alberta -- where he lives with his family and drives a delivery truck.

But Bourassa said crimes like Allen's routinely result in jail terms and Allen would not be treated differently because of his political past.

Bourassa also said NWT courts are inundated by sex crimes and a strong message needed to be sent to the public.

"A meaningful deterrent sentence needs to be imposed," he said.

Allen was a two-term member of the legislative assembly who resigned in October amid a storm of controversy over the sexual assault charge and allegations he falsified a housing claim.

He was justice minister for three years until losing the portfolio when cabinet was reshuffled after the last territorial election.

Once a world-class athlete, Allen represented Canada at several international cross-country skiing events, including the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.

He also served as mayor of Aklavik and was a town councillor in Inuvik.