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Mair did not visibly react as he was convicted of murdering Cox and wounding 77-year-old Bernard Kenny, a passer-by who was stabbed as he tried to stop the attack in Birstall, 320 kilometres north of London.

Judge Alan Wilkie sentenced Mair to life with no chance of parole for the “brutal and ruthless” killing.

The judge said the murder had been carried out to advance a political cause “of violent white supremacism associated with Nazis.”

West Yorkshie Police

Cox had been a prominent voice arguing for Britain to remain in the EU, during a divisive and often angry referendum campaign that focused heavily on the issue of immigration. She had also urged Britain to take in more refugees fleeing violence in Syria.

At his first court hearing, Mair gave his name as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain.” Prosecutors said his home was full of Nazi literature and memorabilia, and his computer revealed an interest in far right, anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi politics.

Mair had refused to enter a plea — leaving the court to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf — and his lawyers presented no evidence in his defence.

Mair, who did not speak during his trial, asked to address the court after the verdict. The judge refused.

Wilkie said Mair pretended to be motivated by patriotism — but that Jo Cox was the true patriot.

“You are no patriot,” the judge told Mair. “By your actions you have betrayed the quintessence of our country, its adherence to parliamentary democracy.”