McIntyre was also originally charged with encouraging murder after posting a link to a YouTube video of Home Secretary Yvette Cooper with the caption: “We’re going to hang this woman and her associates.”

Mr Gibson said the decision was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue the charge to trial because of “evidential issues” over whether McIntyre believed the act would be carried out.

The count was left to lie on the file.

McIntyre was working as a taxi driver when he was intercepted and arrested by police in Liverpool on 8 August.

A knife was found hidden in the boot of his car and when his home was searched officers found weapons and a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf, the court heard.

McIntyre followed the sentencing hearing on a videolink from HMP Liverpool, where he was remanded in custody, while his parents looked on from the public gallery.

Julian Nutter, defending, said: “His parents are horrified that he is in this predicament.

“He is a man of previous good character and has never come to the attention of the police before.”

Among character references were letters to Judge Neil Flewitt KC from McIntyre’s parents and a family friend, the court heard.

Mr Nutter said: “Those who have spoken on his behalf describe somebody who is very different from what we have heard from the prosecution about him.”