birthday party behaviour issues

[Aliway]

A boy in ds's class has become very physical towards ds. He came home with marks on his face from an unprovoked attack just over a week ago. My ds (4.5) really wants to be his pal, and does'nt seem too bothered when this little guy hits out, my ds is a very active, boisterous boy ie I'm not saying he is an angel, I have very firm boundaries regarding physical retaliation. At a birthday party when the other child saw ds he immediately started trying to lamp him I told him to 'pack it in' and then went to move my ds away, the other childs father was in a separate room with some other parents, a fortnight previously to this, this child had again started being very physical with my ds, a friend intervened and I had to keep an eye on him during the party as there were other attempts. Mainly because my ds wants to be pals with this little boy and his friend and this little chap is not interested... I feel at the last birthday party I may have come across a bit strong have had a few looks in the playground since... have sworn off birthday parties... Any helpful advice greatly appreciated thanking you in advance

I think you need to explain to your son that not all children are nice, and that he and this child will not be friends.
It seems harsh that your son will miss out on party's because of this child, can you just encourage your child to play with others and move away from this boy when ever he comes near?
Also I do not think you were heavy handed at the party telling him to pack it in

Thanks, I was quite unwell with flu at the time which did'nt improve my mood. I saw the little boys mum and explained to her that I had told her ds to stop as I did'nt want her hearing it from anyone else. I will venture into the birthday party circuit again it is quite a strain monitoring and trying to curtail my own ds's behaviour and prevent the other child from launching into him they are in the same class and the class sizes are quite small.