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Sydney news: Brooke Vitnell claims election posters vandalised with sexist slurs and images

Brooke Vitnell is the Liberal candidate contesting the key seat of Paterson. (Facebook: Brooke Vitnell)

Here's what you need to know this morning.

Candidate's posters vandalised with 'obscene images'

The Liberal candidate in the seat of Paterson in the state's Hunter region has detailed what she describes as a "concerted campaign" against her.

Brooke Vitnell said her election posters have been torn down and vandalised with sexist slurs, with the aggression getting more intense in the lead up to pre-poll voting.

It comes as police and the Australian Electoral Commission investigate allegations from Independent and Greens' candidates about their campaign posters being doctored and ripped down in other seats across NSW.

Ms Vitnell has told Sky News that hundreds of her campaign posters have gone missing or been "slashed, graffitied, had things drawn on them [with] profanities."

"And these are profanities that have been drawn all over many billboard-sized signs on arterial highways," she said.

"So we've got buses, we've got a high volume of traffic going past these signs seeing these obscene images and these degrading words as well."

Upgrade to Epping bridge in election announcement 

Helicopter vision from this morning shows the traffic delays along Epping Bridge. (ABC News)

Scott Morrison has promised to partner with the state government to deliver a $220 million upgrade to a Sydney bridge known for its bottleneck issues if the Liberal government is re-elected.

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said the proposed upgrades to the Epping Bridge would support growth across the federal seat of Bennalong. 

"This project will help relieve traffic congestion in the area as well as improve access and connectivity through Epping Town Centre," Mr Perrottet said.

Judge's death could see trials 'start again' 

Judge Peter Zahra, left, was days into a fraud case involving Guy Sebastian's ex-manager before his death. (AAP: Dean Lewins and ABC News )

Trials that were being presided over by judge Peter Zahra may need to start again after his sudden death, a law expert says.

The highly-respected judge, who was days into a fraud trial against singer Guy Sebastian's former manager, suffered a stroke last week. He died on Sunday "surrounded by his family".

Professor of Public Law at the University of Sydney Mary Crock said the way forward would be decided by all parties but credibility was an issue.

"I think, certainly for a trial like this, that hasn't been going for very long, is that they will simply have to start again," she said.

The use of transcripts and videos as a way of continuing the case, while not often used, was one option available to parties, Professor Crock said.

"Today, because of transcripts, there's a record of what's happened every day.

"So if the parties agree it may be possible for another judge to come in… some of the evidence that's been collected can be used in the second trial, but for most intensive purposes, you really have to start again."

Truck driver allegedly four times over legal limit

A 32-year-old truck driver is due in court next month.  (AAP: Joel Carrett)

A 32-year-old truck driver was allegedly four times over the legal alcohol limit and was involved in a crash in Sydney's west yesterday.

Police said the man from Glendenning was arrested after they attended the scene of the collision between the truck and a utility on Glendenning Road.

He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analyses reading of 0.203.

The 52-year-old driver of the utility was taken to Westmead Hospital with minor injuries.

The truck driver is due to appear at Mount Druitt Local Court on Monday, June 6.

Sporting stars plea to motivate at-risk young people 

Sonny Bill Williams will encourage young people to engage with sporting clubs  (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Undefeated heavyweight boxer and two-time rugby union World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams is joining a move to motivate at-risk young people across the state. 

A new partnership to be launched today between National Rugby League, NSW Rugby League and Netball NSW will partner with PCYC clubs to engage young people at risk of criminal offending and anti-social behaviour. 

Williams will join Netball superstar Amy Parmenter from the GWS Giants on Tuesday to speak about the importance of sport in building confidence and life skills.

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