Former Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli will not spend any time behind bars after being sentenced over 13 fraud-related offences.

Key points: Andrew Antoniolli misappropriated and fraudulently used the council's community donation fund to buy charity items over 12 years

Andrew Antoniolli misappropriated and fraudulently used the council's community donation fund to buy charity items over 12 years He claimed it was accepted practice at the council to buy auction items with council donation funds

He claimed it was accepted practice at the council to buy auction items with council donation funds The magistrate sentenced Antoniolli to six months in prison, wholly suspended

The 48-year-old was convicted of misusing more than $10,000 of council funds to buy auction items at charity events over 12 years while working as a councillor and later as mayor.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching bail by going to the council building and speaking with staff after he was charged.

Magistrate Anthony Gett sentenced Antoniolli to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended.

A conviction was recorded, but he has since filed a notice of appeal.

Antoniolli admitted to buying the items while he was a councillor and mayor but pleaded not guilty to all charges on the basis it was accepted practice at the council to use the donation fund to buy items at auctions, then delete all references to those auction items before sending payments for final approval.

Antoniolli said he was told by two former chief executives and former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale that what he was doing was allowed.

Antoniolli defrauded council and Ipswich ratepayers, Prosecutor Sarah Farnden told the court. ( ABC News: Melanie Vujkovic )

The other items purchased were kept on council premises, except for one yellow bike which was stored in his shed at home.

Antoniolli also described "high-powered bullying" within the council at the time of the offences.

He posted on Facebook that the sentence gave his household a "great sense of relief".

"At times it has taken a fierce toll on us mentally, but we made it out the other side," he said.

When delivering his verdict last month, Magistrate Gett criticised Antoniolli's testimony for being "largely self-serving and significantly contrived".

The entire Ipswich City Council was sacked last year by the State Government and an administrator was brought in following a Crime and Corruption Commission's investigation which saw 16 people charged.

'Calculated and cunning'

Antoniolli's supporters breathed an audible sigh of relief and the father-of-five tearfully embraced wife Karina after the sentence was handed down.

In sentencing, Magistrate Gett said the case was unique in that the money didn't go into Antoniolli's own pockets but he added the offences were committed over a lengthy period and he had shown no remorse.

"Your offending should be seen as serious, it was deliberate, calculated and cunning," he said.

"You were genuinely motivated to assist organisations [at the charity auctions] but that is not at odds with your awareness of the benefit as a politician.

"The funds were ultimately derived from the ratepayers of Ipswich."

Magistrate Gett told Antoniolli he had an impressive, diverse and extensive record of community work and a good character which was marred by the offences.

"[I take into account] the great shame and embarrassment you have felt by thousands in Ipswich," he said.

"It is submitted you have suffered due to your loss of career and reputation."

The defence argued a career in real estate was the father of five's only way forward and a conviction would prevent him from pursing that path.

Magistrate Anthony Gett also noted Antoniolli was unlikely to reoffend given there was little chance he'd ever be elected again.

"You have fallen from a significant height," he said.

"The public rightly expect more from their elected officials."

Mayor was trying to 'increase his popularity'

Prosecutor Sarah Farnden told the court during sentencing submissions last week that it was a case of deliberate offending.

"The defendant expended money that was derived from the ratepayers of Ipswich," Ms Farnden said.

"It is noted charities were not defrauded, it was ultimately the council and ratepayers that were defrauded.

"I accept this isn't a case where there is that direct personal gain.

"The items were put to [Antoniolli's] own use when he exercised control over the items, he retained some in his office, and it was never included on any asset register."

Ms Farnden said Antoniolli bought the auction items to "increase and maintain his popularity" within the local community.

Defence barrister Peter Callaghan argued Antoniolli was already a popular Ipswich figure, regardless of whether he attended charity auctions.

"The nature of these offences is really different to any other of its kind," Mr Callaghan said.

Mr Callaghan told the court Antoniolli's mental health had suffered following the investigation and verdict.

He said he was "in the depths of a serious depressive episode" when he breached bail by going to the council office and speaking with employees about the charges in May 2018.

He also argued the widespread community awareness and extensive media coverage of Antoniolli's offending was in itself a form of punishment.

"The fall from grace will haunt him," he said.

"Having lost his status, everything he has worked for and lost his personal wellbeing, the question is how much more does society demand?

"He has paid and will continue to pay for this offending for the rest of his life."