TORONTO -- The case of a man accused killing 10 people by driving a van along a busy sidewalk in Toronto has been put over to April 1.

Alek Minassian, of Richmond Hill, Ont., faces 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder in the attack last year.

Police allege Minassian drove the van down a sidewalk on a stretch of Yonge Street in the city's north end.

The 26-year-old was not present at Thursday's brief hearing.

The Crown and defence continue their judicial pre-trial discussions in the case.

In late 2018, Ontario's deputy attorney general granted the prosecution's request to skip a preliminary hearing and have the case go straight to a trial, which is slated for February 2020.