DETECTIVES today hoped to bring foreward fresh witnesses in the hunt for a gang who subjected a deaf woman to a vicious rape ordeal.

They released an e-fit image of a man suspected of being one of the gang, hoping it would stir people's memories of last weekend, when the 36-year-old woman was raped in the graveyard of St Martin's Church, St Martin's Lane, York.

Their investigation so far has failed to trigger calls from vital witnesses, including a Good Samaritan who helped put the victim in a taxi in Micklegate and the taxi driver who drove her to the Huntington Road area.

There was also a male passenger already in the vehicle.

Police said they should all be able to remember the victim, as she had to write down her address for the taxi driver to be understood.

The woman is deaf and unable to speak, preventing her from shouting for help during the attack in the early hours of Sunday.

Information about the time of that journey in the early hours of Sunday is crucial to help police narrow the focus of their inquiries.

Detective Inspector Jon Reed said: "This is an e-fit of the man the victim met in Reflex (in George Hudson Street) and left with shortly before the attack.

"He is the one who took her to the graveyard.

"We want to trace this man in connection with the sexual attack.

"Anyone who recognises the e-fit should contact us. If they were innocent we would be able to eliminate them from our inquiries.

"It is extremely important for people to come forward as this man is a main link with the inquiry. We will treat calls with confidence.

"There were six people involved, which makes this attack unusual.

"For the same reason that makes it even more important for us to trace the offenders.

"We have to look at all angles - whether they were businessmen here for the weekend, part of a stag night or possibly friends on a night out."

Officers are painstakingly studying CCTV footage from the night.

"It was a very busy Saturday night," said Det Insp Reed.

"Reflex was very busy. We are aware that a lot of people will have been walking home after a night out in York.

"We just ask them to think back on what they saw or heard, especially if they walked along St Martin's Lane.

"We know the woman left Reflex at about 2am," he said.

Earlier this week, Det Insp Reed said: "She has been the victim of a repeated serious sexual assault by six men who were all involved in the offence. She is still very shaken."

Anyone who was in Reflex, or in the area of Micklegate, George Hudson Street and St Martin's Lane between 9pm on Saturday and 6am on Sunday should phone the police on 01609 768111.

Updated: 09:19 Saturday, November 19, 2005