MORE details have emerged on a sex attack in a city centre churchyard.

Police revealed yesterday that the victim of the assault was deaf, had a speech impediment and was unable to scream for help during the assault.

And it also became clear that a group of five men who had been reported nearby at the time had taken part in the attack.

The incident took place in the early hours of last Sunday in the graveyard by St Martin's Church, off Micklegate, in York.

The 36-year-old victim had been drinking with friends in the nearby Reflex bar. She left the pub at about 1am with a man who took her to the churchyard and attacked her.

He was wearing a hooded black jacket and dark trousers. He was aged between 26 and 30 and was about 5ft 11in, stocky with black, spiky gelled hair.

The five men nearby were originally thought to just have been in the vicinity.

However, police yesterday revealed that they all took part in what has been described as a "serious sexual assault".

Police are also trying to trace a good Samaritan who helped the distressed woman to a taxi, as well as the taxi driver and the fare who was already in the cab.

"She should be easy to remember as she had to write her destination down for the driver," said a spokesman.

Police are also appealing to anybody with information about the attack or who was in the area at the time - between 1am and 4am - to contact them on (01609) 768111.