Ukrainian postgraduate student Pavlo Lapshyn, 25, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the murder of 82-year-old grandfather Mohammed Saleem in Birmingham in April and plotting to cause explosions near mosques in the West Midlands.
A Ukrainian lecturer told ITV News Pavlo Lapsyhn, who pleaded guilty to the murder of a Muslim pensioner, was described as a "clever and shy" person and it was a surprise when he was charged with his crimes.
A Ukrainian student has admitted stabbing an 82-year-old Muslim pensioner within five days of arriving in the UK.
Police have released images showing Ukrainian student Pavlo Lapshyn preparing for and carrying out attacks in the Midlands.
A timeline leading up to the conviction of Pavlo Lapshyn, who murdered pensioner Mohammed Saleem and set bombs off outside mosques.