MONTREAL — The case against Robert Miller has moved a step closer to trial, even as questions remain about the ailing Montreal billionaire’s ability to appear in court to face multiple sex charges.

Lawyers for Miller and for the Crown appeared in a Montreal courtroom on Wednesday, but the accused was not present as a next date was set for Oct. 1.

The founder of global electronics distributor Future Electronics was arrested in May on 21 sex charges involving 10 complainants, many of whom were minors when the alleged offences occurred between 1994 and 2016. One of the alleged victims was under the age of 14.