The identity of the man who sexually assaulted a Maitland woman in Kyle Street on Tuesday, May 22, remains unknown, with police canvassing drivers in the area in an attempt to jog their memory about the incident.

The results of DNA tests are expected this week, but police are unsure if they will be of any help.

Central Hunter Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Andrew McDonald said the attack was clearly staged.

The man was holding a rug as though it were a baby and had raised the bonnet of the Commodore in Kyle Street opposite the saleyards.

The 34-year-old woman stopped to help and when she realised it was a ruse, attempted to get back to her vehicle when the man struck her, knocking her unconscious.

Police said exactly what happened next remained unclear but the man apparently drove the woman’s silver Toyota Prado four-wheel-drive from where it had been parked behind his car to Maitland Saleyards and behind a shed, hidden from view.

There he sexually assaulted her and she woke up some time later dazed and confused.

Maitland detectives have joined forces with the Sex Crimes Squad and Highway Patrol to solve the case and spoke to drivers outside the saleyards yesterday.

Inspector McDonald said police wanted to speak to the driver of the Commodore.

He said Roads and Maritime Services records showed there were only a few of the Commodores described in the Maitland area.

“We would like to speak to anyone driving down Kyle Street who saw a red Holden Commodore sedan stopped on the side of the road with its bonnet up,” he said.

Inspector McDonald said the staged crime was uncommon and the victim was understandably traumatised.

“It’s a terrible crime; we have put all the pieces we have together but there are still gaps after she was knocked out and we don’t know what happened,” he said.

The crime carries a sentence of 20 years jail.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.