A man took to the witness stand in a US court to confront his adoptive mother who forced him and his three brothers to forage in rubbish bins for food.

Lawyers for four boys allegedly starved by their adoptive parents have signed on to a settlement with the state of New Jersey for the youngsters to share $12.5m (€10.4m).

A couple starved their four adopted sons for years while allowing their daughters to feast on takeaways, police and neighbours said today.