The court heard how Connolly, 41, told someone on WhatsApp that she would “play the mental health card” if she was arrested. She sent another WhatsApp message on Aug 5 joking that the incendiary post to her 10,000 followers had “bitten me on the arse, lol.”

Naeem Valli, who opened the case for the prosecution, described how Connolly also sent a message saying she intended to work her notice period as a childminder “on the sly” despite being de-registered.

Mr Valli added: “She then goes on to say that if she were to get arrested she would play the mental health card.”

Connolly, who has no previous convictions, also sent another tweet commenting on a sword attack, which read: “I bet my house it was one of these boat invaders.”

Another post sent by Connolly – commenting on a video posted by Tommy Robinson on X – read “Somalian I guess” and was accompanied by a vomiting emoji.

Connolly appeared before the court via a video link to HMP Peterborough while her husband watched proceedings from the public gallery.

‘Didn’t expect violence that followed’

Liam Muir, defending, said in mitigation that Connolly had lost a child in horrific circumstances and was distinguished from other offenders using social media in that she had sent the tweet at the heart of the case before any violence against asylum seekers had started.

Mr Muir said: “The horrendous way in which she lost her son, being turned away from the health service, can only have a drastic detrimental effect on someone.

“Whatever her intention was in posting the offending tweet, it was short-lived, and she didn’t expect the violence that followed and she quickly tried to quell it.”

Judge Melbourne Inman KC, the Recorder of Birmingham, said in sentencing: “Some people used that tragedy as an opportunity to sow division and hatred, often using social media, leading to a number of towns and cities being disfigured.”

‘Mindless violence’

After noting that Connolly’s post on X inciting attacks on hotels had been viewed 310,000 times, the judge added: “When you published those words, you were well aware how volatile the situation was. That volatility led to serious disorder where mindless violence was used.”

The judge added that Connolly – who remained calm on the prison video-link – had encouraged activity that threatened or endangered life.

Det Ch Supt Rich Tompkins, the head of crime and justice at Northamptonshire Police, said: “This week is Hate Crime Awareness Week and although it is the courts who are responsible for sentencing, I hope this case demonstrates that the police take reports of this nature seriously and that we will do everything we can to help our communities feel safe and protected from fear of violence.

“If you have been a victim of a hate crime, please contact us so we can investigate it. No-one should be targeted for who they are.”

Mr Connolly declined to comment on the sentencing as he left Birmingham Crown Court.

Latest police figures reveal that 1,511 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, 960 of whom were charged.

On Aug 14, Julie Sweeney, 53, from Cheshire, was jailed for 15 months after writing in a local Facebook group that a mosque should be blown up.

Describing her as a “keyboard warrior”, Judge Steven Everett said “even people like you need to go to prison”.

Her husband David Sweeney, 76, called the sentence “well over the top” and said her outburst was caused by “an emotional breakdown”.

On Oct 8, Keith Edwards, 81, became the oldest person convicted in connection with the far-Right riots.

Edwards, from Nottingham, claims that he was arrested after standing on a protester’s leg to prevent him from getting away from police. He later admitted assault by beating and was spared jail with a 28-day suspended sentence.

His solicitor said Mr Edwards had “no involvement” in the pre-planned protest in Nottingham and was actually “assisting” the police by putting his foot on the leg of a man they were trying to arrest.