An RAF veteran caught with child rape and sadism cartoons claimed he didn't think they were illegal.
Gordon Hughes downloaded hundreds of banned pictures, portraying children as young as two being sexually abused.
Among his "loathsome" collection were said to be "lifelike images" involving "sadism" and molestation of naked boys.
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But the 72-year-old denied he was a paedophile and said he couldn't remember why he downloaded them.
He walked free from court and because of his type of sentence, won't have to sign on the Sex Offenders Register.
Police were informed by the National Crime Agency about an IP address linked to Hughes' email address, which was said to have uploaded 100 prohibited images of children onto the internet, in late 2020.
Liverpool Crown Court heard officers raided his home in Savon Hook, Formby on March 11, when they seized his electronic devices, but didn't find any evidence of images being uploaded or shared.
However, Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, said his Lenovo laptop and Seagate storage device contained 459 prohibited images of children.
Prohibited images of children include "pornographic" non-photographic images, such as computer-generated images, cartoons, manga images and drawings.
When arrested and interviewed, Hughes, who has no previous convictions, admitted downloading the pictures.
Ms Nemat said: "He said he didn't realise it was an offence and couldn't remember why he downloaded them."
She added: "He said there was nothing sexual in it. He denied downloading them for sexual gratification."
Possessing prohibited images of children carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, said: "I'm dealing with a 72-year-old, of good character, who pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
"In a case, however unpleasant, that doesn't involve real children."
Ms Nemat said Hughes would not be required to sign on the Sex Offenders Register unless he received a prison sentence of two years or more.
She applied for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will restrict for example his use of the internet.
Judge Flewitt told Michael Davies, defending, that he had read a pre-sentence report.
He said: "I don't believe that he doesn't remember this and I don't believe he wasn't doing it for some sort of sexual motivation.
"That isn't going to make a difference to how I deal with it - but I don't want him to think I accept that part of it."
Mr Davies said he had discussed this matter with his client and so had a probation officer.
Judge Flewitt said: "He's in denial, isn't he?"
"Yes," replied Mr Davies, adding: "Perhaps a sense of shame, which is the view taken by the probation officer."
He urged the judge to follow the recommendation made in the pre-sentence report by sparing Hughes jail.
Mr Davies said his client, who had retired and moved to the North West, was elderly and had mobility issues, so wasn't suitable for unpaid work, but could pay a fine.
Judge Flewitt told Hughes: "I imagine it will be to your everlasting shame that for the first time in your life at the age of 72 you're standing in a crown court, having pleaded guilty to such an unpleasant offence."
He said: "I want to make it clear given the public interest in this case that they were not images of real children. They were artificially created images.
"That is an important distinction, because if they were images of real children, those children would be the victims of sexual abuse.
"These were images not of real children but created, I'm satisfied, to satisfy some sexual motivation on your part."
The judge said he didn't believe Hughes' denials, which he said he suspected were a result of his "shame".
He said: "You've led a good, hardworking and constructive life, you were in the RAF and served your country.
"You were happily married for many years and I suspect that you have recently become lonely and isolated, and that is what has drawn you into this offending."
Judge Flewitt handed him a 12-month community order, with a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and £1,000 fine.
The judge ordered Hughes to pay a £480 contribution towards court costs and said he must comply with a SHPO for three years.
He said: "I'm satisfied it's highly unlikely you will ever return to court."
Children concerned about abuse can contact Childline 24/7 on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about the wellbeing of children can phone the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000.
Anyone concerned about their own behaviour, or that of a family member, can contact stopitnow.org.uk and get-help.stopitnow.org.uk
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