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Sudesh Amman, 20, had said he “now realised” that those who committed terrorist acts ended up “pushing people away” from Islam.

He made the comments on January 30 2020, a week after he was automatically released from Belmarsh prison, part-way through a 40-month sentence for terrorist offences.

But just three days later he stole a knife and ran down Streatham High Road, south London, stabbing people.

At an inquest into Amman’s death at the Royal Courts of Justice, the mentor, referred to as Witness M for legal reasons, described his “disbelief” after hearing of the Streatham attack.

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The inquest heard Amman had been provided with support from one practical and one theological mentor, both of whom he met with after his release from Belmarsh on January 23.

A report by Witness M following the January 30 meeting stated Amman had seemed “relaxed” and “happy”.

Reading part of the report, Jonathan Hough QC said: “Sudesh Amman told [the mentor] about the Koran… “[Amman] asked what you thought would happen to you when you died, you said you hadn’t thought about it, and he said, ‘You should’.

“The mentor asked [Amman] if he was happy to have a debate with people of different faiths. He said he was.

“He said he now realised that people who hurt other people through things like acts of terror were pushing people away from the faith and causing hatred.”

Giving evidence to the inquest yesterday, Witness M said of Amman during the final meeting: “He was the most relaxed that I’d seen him.

“He was happy to talk, he had no moments where he held back from saying anything and he seemed happy and relieved at being released.

“I took him at his word. He seemed sincere.”

Asked by Mr Hough if Amman had been “plausible,” witness M said: “Yes I believe he was.”

A second mentor, known only as Witness T, said his duty was to discuss religious matters with Amman at their only meeting on January 29 2020.

A report made for Witness T ahead of that meeting described Amman as “particularly vulnerable [to] indoctrination”, adding: “Sudesh Amman’s mindset continues to be concerning and is further fuelled by his association with other like-minded individuals.”

Previously the inquest heard how prison intelligence suggested Amman had threatened to kill the Queen, to commit a terrorist act and to radicalise others.

The inquest continues.

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